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Mists and Megaliths
Welcome to Wales, land of mists and megaliths, where mythical creatures and ancient spirits lurk in the strangest of places. This collection of 10 supernatural stories offers a flurry of folklore, a gathering of ghosts, and even a cosmic cave creature. Stories include... A fisherman who nets the tail fin of a lure becomes obsessed with finding the rest, but what else lies hidden in the ancient lake? Carreg A Neolithic burial chamber stares out to sea, remembering times long since past, but when it loses its heart of stone to a young girl the repercussions are hard to bear. An old man watches the mountain which was once a slag heap of coal. He listens for the knock of the Coblynau, certain they will come for him... soon, just like they did to warn of the Aberfan disaster. Author Catherine McCarthy’s second collection invites the reader on a regional journey, evoking a sense of quiet horror from the cosmic to the Gothic.
150 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2021
14 people are currently reading
289 people want to read
About the author
Catherine McCarthy
31 books319 followersCatherine McCarthy is a Welsh working class writer who weaves dark tales on an ancient loom.
Her longer works include Immortelle, Mosaic, A Moonlit Path of Madness, The Wolf and the Favour, The House at the End of Lacelean Street and her most recent novella, Death of a Clown, which published May '25 through Sobelo Books.
Her short fiction can be found in various publications, including Gamut Magazine, Dark Matter Magazine and Haven Spec Magazine.
Time away from the loom is spent hiking the Welsh coast path or huddled in an ancient graveyard reading Dylan Thomas or Poe.
Her longer works include Immortelle, Mosaic, A Moonlit Path of Madness, The Wolf and the Favour, The House at the End of Lacelean Street and her most recent novella, Death of a Clown, which published May '25 through Sobelo Books.
Her short fiction can be found in various publications, including Gamut Magazine, Dark Matter Magazine and Haven Spec Magazine.
Time away from the loom is spent hiking the Welsh coast path or huddled in an ancient graveyard reading Dylan Thomas or Poe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 1, 2022
10 tales set in Wales about Welsh legends and myths. Really enjoyed every single one of the stories. The characters were well carved and you get an introduction to each telling. My favorites were the very first named "Cragen" about a daughter and her imaginary friend. This story goes under your skin and is extremely emotional and eerie. "The Ice House" is another favorite of mine. Classic gothic tale (the novel The Monk is even mentioned here) with a haunting twist at the end. Really recommended stuff, even when you're not Welsh. So many myths and legends. Notably too is the last story "Carreg Samson" about a speaking stone... excellent horror collection with strong ties to Wales!
May 30, 2022
Oftentimes, the word “horror” conjures up certain images; slashers, monsters, blood, and jump scares all come to mind. And while these are perfectly respectable elements, there exists another tradition in dark literature, one that is of a more subtle, atmospheric bent. A quieter type of storytelling that unnerves the reader and lingers in the mind long after the tale has been told. Think Ramsey Campbell. Think Susan Hill. Think M.R. James.
Think Catherine McCarthy.
I’m over the moon about this wonderful collection. McCarthy’s skills are numerous; her prose is excellent, at once descriptive and immersive without feeling dense, and she is able to create emotional investment in a relatively short number of pages. She also has a talent for showing restraint, allowing each story to breathe as needed while the tension builds up… but she’s just as willing to let loose with the terrors once the time comes!
The first story (“Cragen”) starts with a bizarre incident, then ostensibly turns to the mundane while a sense of eeriness grows; this was brilliant, and kept me on the edge of my seat. The ending brought tears to my eyes.
“Two’s Company, Three’s a Shroud” is darkly humorous, sort of a supernatural Odd Couple. Despite the morbid (yet inventive) theme, this was a pleasure to read and had me smiling right along. Stan is a memorable character, indeed.
“Jagged Edges” is the tale of a working-class man looking back on the years and coming to terms with the changing world. It might have also worked as a non-supernatural piece, except for one very important aspect. It’s also the kind of story in which a reread would provide a rewarding experience.
Next up is “Mãra.” This story was fascinating because (based on the author’s note in the beginning) it’s partly autobiographical. As a piece of fiction it didn’t engage me as much as the others in this book, but it’s well-written nonetheless.
“Retribution” might be my favorite story in the collection, at least from a purely surface level standpoint. This flirts with Lovecraftian tropes but does not go where you expect. It gives real heart to the cosmic horror elements; a memorable story.
“Ysbrid Y Môr” serves as a timely allegory for community and the kindness of strangers. Not at all a horror story, but that’s perfectly alright. It was a moving piece of fiction. McCarthy deftly addressed current events in a unique way, without coming off as heavy-handed.
“The Ice House” has a timeless, gothic quality to it; had I not known the author, I might have guessed it was a Victorian-era story instead of one written quite recently. I mean this in a good way, as this tale is haunting and a perfect example of the quiet horror subgenre. Another tearjerker ending, too. I actually had a dream about this the evening after I read it.
I didn’t think I’d like “Lure” at first, given I’m not too interested in either fishing or second-person viewpoint. But it ended up being one of the strongest stories in this book, a slow-burning, fantastical mystery that culminates into full-on horror.
“Coblynau” is a dark fantasy that feels somewhat Dunsanian, but of course with a modern spin. The next time someone makes a comment that fantasy or horror isn’t “literary,” this is a story to send their way. It works equally as both a fairytale and as a commentary on the ravages of age. Poignant.
The final story in Mists and Megaliths is “Carreg Samson,” and here McCarthy ends on a strong note. If you won’t listen to me, at least listen to Ramsey Campbell(!), who calls this story “…an achievement close to mystical.” The only thing I can say about this piece (which is from the POV of the landscape, of all things) is to sum it up in one word: masterful. Here, McCarthy truly illustrates her ability to make the reader feel swept away by her words.
Ultimately, these stories are not inherently “about” the supernatural elements that appear within them, and I suspect that is part of what makes McCarthy’s style so appealing. They are each about aspects of the human condition, about very real-feeling thoughts and relationships… they just happen to have otherworldly things in them.
This is an author I’ll be exploring more. Mists and Megaliths comes with my highest possible recommendation. Readers will be captivated. Writers will be inspired.
Think Catherine McCarthy.
I’m over the moon about this wonderful collection. McCarthy’s skills are numerous; her prose is excellent, at once descriptive and immersive without feeling dense, and she is able to create emotional investment in a relatively short number of pages. She also has a talent for showing restraint, allowing each story to breathe as needed while the tension builds up… but she’s just as willing to let loose with the terrors once the time comes!
The first story (“Cragen”) starts with a bizarre incident, then ostensibly turns to the mundane while a sense of eeriness grows; this was brilliant, and kept me on the edge of my seat. The ending brought tears to my eyes.
“Two’s Company, Three’s a Shroud” is darkly humorous, sort of a supernatural Odd Couple. Despite the morbid (yet inventive) theme, this was a pleasure to read and had me smiling right along. Stan is a memorable character, indeed.
“Jagged Edges” is the tale of a working-class man looking back on the years and coming to terms with the changing world. It might have also worked as a non-supernatural piece, except for one very important aspect. It’s also the kind of story in which a reread would provide a rewarding experience.
Next up is “Mãra.” This story was fascinating because (based on the author’s note in the beginning) it’s partly autobiographical. As a piece of fiction it didn’t engage me as much as the others in this book, but it’s well-written nonetheless.
“Retribution” might be my favorite story in the collection, at least from a purely surface level standpoint. This flirts with Lovecraftian tropes but does not go where you expect. It gives real heart to the cosmic horror elements; a memorable story.
“Ysbrid Y Môr” serves as a timely allegory for community and the kindness of strangers. Not at all a horror story, but that’s perfectly alright. It was a moving piece of fiction. McCarthy deftly addressed current events in a unique way, without coming off as heavy-handed.
“The Ice House” has a timeless, gothic quality to it; had I not known the author, I might have guessed it was a Victorian-era story instead of one written quite recently. I mean this in a good way, as this tale is haunting and a perfect example of the quiet horror subgenre. Another tearjerker ending, too. I actually had a dream about this the evening after I read it.
I didn’t think I’d like “Lure” at first, given I’m not too interested in either fishing or second-person viewpoint. But it ended up being one of the strongest stories in this book, a slow-burning, fantastical mystery that culminates into full-on horror.
“Coblynau” is a dark fantasy that feels somewhat Dunsanian, but of course with a modern spin. The next time someone makes a comment that fantasy or horror isn’t “literary,” this is a story to send their way. It works equally as both a fairytale and as a commentary on the ravages of age. Poignant.
The final story in Mists and Megaliths is “Carreg Samson,” and here McCarthy ends on a strong note. If you won’t listen to me, at least listen to Ramsey Campbell(!), who calls this story “…an achievement close to mystical.” The only thing I can say about this piece (which is from the POV of the landscape, of all things) is to sum it up in one word: masterful. Here, McCarthy truly illustrates her ability to make the reader feel swept away by her words.
Ultimately, these stories are not inherently “about” the supernatural elements that appear within them, and I suspect that is part of what makes McCarthy’s style so appealing. They are each about aspects of the human condition, about very real-feeling thoughts and relationships… they just happen to have otherworldly things in them.
This is an author I’ll be exploring more. Mists and Megaliths comes with my highest possible recommendation. Readers will be captivated. Writers will be inspired.
June 25, 2022
And due to recent events I have immersed myself once again in the loving arms of quality horror.
Everything is horror, horror is everything.
This is a short collection of bangers. Not one falls short of the others. Look for a full review in an upcoming issue of SCREAM Mag
Everything is horror, horror is everything.
This is a short collection of bangers. Not one falls short of the others. Look for a full review in an upcoming issue of SCREAM Mag
May 4, 2021
This quiet horror collection from Welsh wordsmith Catherine McCarthy collects ten eerie tales all set in her home country. Stories include;
• A young girl growing up in an idyllic seaside town, and her imaginary friend who is willing to kill in order to keep her undivided attention
• A retired railway guard revisiting the disused lines that once brought him so much joy, now haunted by neglect and half-forgotten memories
• A couple unwittingly bring catastrophe upon themselves when they bring a spirit box into their new home, with disastrous consequences.
• A heart-warming fable of a village isolated during a pandemic, and the arrival of a mysterious saviour who is there to help, if the village will let him in…
• A young mans weekend fishing trips dredge up painful memories of a troubled past
• A retired coal-miner living out his final days in a nursing home remembers mythical creatures which used to haunt the mines he worked
Being based in the UK myself (and having fond memories of numerous childhood holidays to Wales) I thoroughly enjoyed the focus on Welsh culture and stories revolving around local landmarks or legends, and a big part of the appeal of ‘Mists and Megaliths’ is how infectious the authors' obvious passion is for the locales is. The collections best stories hold their settings in great reverence and this respect adds a heartfelt earnestness to the stories.
As for the stories themselves, there is quite a varied selection. While ‘Mists and Megaliths’ is very much a quiet horror collection, full of atmosphere and subtlety, my favourite stories ran the gamut between scary (‘Cragen’), charming (‘Spirit of the Sea‘) and overtly comedic (‘Two’s Company, Three’s a Shroud’). In fact, perhaps the standout story for me was one that was simultaneously melancholy, but strangely tense. ‘Coblynau’ is a powerful story of an elderly man suffering from dementia, doing what he can to remember his former life, both good and bad.
Each of the ten stories is preceded by a short story note, and I would absolutely urge you to read these, as they enhance the story itself in each and every case by focusing less on anecdotes as to how the story came to be, instead offering some background as to the real-life settings or legends that the story is based on. I personally found it incredibly interesting to get these additional historical references and felt they added an extra layer to the stories themselves. In the case of my aforementioned favourite short, the story notes add an element of tragedy to the tale when you know the real-world events that inspired it.
‘Mists and Megaliths’ is an elegant and eerie collection of heartfelt horror tales. McCarthy excels at setting a vivid scene, imbued with her clear affection for the places and people she writes about. There are stories that will chill you, crush you, or make you smile, but all of them are likely to linger in your memory long after the final page.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/horror-li...
I also promote indie horror via Twitter and Instagram - @RickReadsHorror
• A young girl growing up in an idyllic seaside town, and her imaginary friend who is willing to kill in order to keep her undivided attention
• A retired railway guard revisiting the disused lines that once brought him so much joy, now haunted by neglect and half-forgotten memories
• A couple unwittingly bring catastrophe upon themselves when they bring a spirit box into their new home, with disastrous consequences.
• A heart-warming fable of a village isolated during a pandemic, and the arrival of a mysterious saviour who is there to help, if the village will let him in…
• A young mans weekend fishing trips dredge up painful memories of a troubled past
• A retired coal-miner living out his final days in a nursing home remembers mythical creatures which used to haunt the mines he worked
Being based in the UK myself (and having fond memories of numerous childhood holidays to Wales) I thoroughly enjoyed the focus on Welsh culture and stories revolving around local landmarks or legends, and a big part of the appeal of ‘Mists and Megaliths’ is how infectious the authors' obvious passion is for the locales is. The collections best stories hold their settings in great reverence and this respect adds a heartfelt earnestness to the stories.
As for the stories themselves, there is quite a varied selection. While ‘Mists and Megaliths’ is very much a quiet horror collection, full of atmosphere and subtlety, my favourite stories ran the gamut between scary (‘Cragen’), charming (‘Spirit of the Sea‘) and overtly comedic (‘Two’s Company, Three’s a Shroud’). In fact, perhaps the standout story for me was one that was simultaneously melancholy, but strangely tense. ‘Coblynau’ is a powerful story of an elderly man suffering from dementia, doing what he can to remember his former life, both good and bad.
Each of the ten stories is preceded by a short story note, and I would absolutely urge you to read these, as they enhance the story itself in each and every case by focusing less on anecdotes as to how the story came to be, instead offering some background as to the real-life settings or legends that the story is based on. I personally found it incredibly interesting to get these additional historical references and felt they added an extra layer to the stories themselves. In the case of my aforementioned favourite short, the story notes add an element of tragedy to the tale when you know the real-world events that inspired it.
‘Mists and Megaliths’ is an elegant and eerie collection of heartfelt horror tales. McCarthy excels at setting a vivid scene, imbued with her clear affection for the places and people she writes about. There are stories that will chill you, crush you, or make you smile, but all of them are likely to linger in your memory long after the final page.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/horror-li...
I also promote indie horror via Twitter and Instagram - @RickReadsHorror
November 13, 2021
For a story to be considered "great", there has to be a meaningful connection established with the reader. Something within the words on the pages has to resonate with them. Whether it be through rousing pent-up emotions, or triggering long forgotten memories. The connection needs to be genuine and authentic. If this occurs, we then have true engagement and a wonderful reading experience. This is just such the case in Mists and Megaliths written by author Catherine McCarthy. A top-notch horror anthology which feeds upon genuine human fears and emotions to reel in a wide-eyed audience!
A collection of 10 stories, Mists and Megaliths has something in it for every fan of true horror. From a young girl with an imaginary friend to die for, to a retired coal-miner spending his final days reliving a haunted past. We get to look at a former railway guard who simply cannot figure out where everything went wrong, to a young married couple who tempt fate a little to openly. While it is difficult to pick a favorite in this unique cluster of tales, I would nevertheless include "Retribution" as my top pick. Without a doubt it instills a sophisticated mix of horror coupled with sympathy and compassion. For those who like a comedic punch with their horror, "Three's a Shroud" will certainly fit the bill! It should also be mentioned that the author begins each story with a short preface which outlines a brief history and personal connection to the tale. A very nice touch.
When Mists and Megaliths is looked at as a complete body of work it is quite impressive. While the tales are all very distinct, they do have many things in common. Indeed, the author more than capably includes the main elements of fictional horror, such as suspense, mystery and fear in all of her tales. It is not "in your face" horror with an inordinate amount of blood and gore however. It is much more subtle and sophisticated in nature and will play upon the reader's most primal emotions to gain the full impact. For instance, even in the comedic "Three's a Shroud", the author cunningly grabs the human fear of being buried beneath the earth and slowly left to rot. Subtle yet potent!
While the actual story events are captivating, they still need great characters to help carry them along. Once again, McCarthy gets top marks. The characters are entirely engaging, realistic and believable. Each of them could be you or I. Thus the readers can easily visualize themselves actually inside this story. They are not superheroes or flashy players. Instead, they are real people with hopes, dreams and flaws. In fact, through these characters, the author is able to reveal not only their intrinsic faults, but ultimately the ever increasing shortcomings of human society overall.
Last, but certainly not least, the author has used Wales as the setting for all the tales. This definitely adds to the overall authenticity of the various stories. The knowledge of, and affection for her homeland is obvious, and her personal connections empower the writing. The words flow with poetic grace as the setting is described in such finite detail that it creates vivid images and arouses the senses.
Mists and Megaliths is highly recommended for readers who love excellent writing which will keep you glued to the pages from start to finish. 5 out of 5 Misty Stars for this one!
A collection of 10 stories, Mists and Megaliths has something in it for every fan of true horror. From a young girl with an imaginary friend to die for, to a retired coal-miner spending his final days reliving a haunted past. We get to look at a former railway guard who simply cannot figure out where everything went wrong, to a young married couple who tempt fate a little to openly. While it is difficult to pick a favorite in this unique cluster of tales, I would nevertheless include "Retribution" as my top pick. Without a doubt it instills a sophisticated mix of horror coupled with sympathy and compassion. For those who like a comedic punch with their horror, "Three's a Shroud" will certainly fit the bill! It should also be mentioned that the author begins each story with a short preface which outlines a brief history and personal connection to the tale. A very nice touch.
When Mists and Megaliths is looked at as a complete body of work it is quite impressive. While the tales are all very distinct, they do have many things in common. Indeed, the author more than capably includes the main elements of fictional horror, such as suspense, mystery and fear in all of her tales. It is not "in your face" horror with an inordinate amount of blood and gore however. It is much more subtle and sophisticated in nature and will play upon the reader's most primal emotions to gain the full impact. For instance, even in the comedic "Three's a Shroud", the author cunningly grabs the human fear of being buried beneath the earth and slowly left to rot. Subtle yet potent!
While the actual story events are captivating, they still need great characters to help carry them along. Once again, McCarthy gets top marks. The characters are entirely engaging, realistic and believable. Each of them could be you or I. Thus the readers can easily visualize themselves actually inside this story. They are not superheroes or flashy players. Instead, they are real people with hopes, dreams and flaws. In fact, through these characters, the author is able to reveal not only their intrinsic faults, but ultimately the ever increasing shortcomings of human society overall.
Last, but certainly not least, the author has used Wales as the setting for all the tales. This definitely adds to the overall authenticity of the various stories. The knowledge of, and affection for her homeland is obvious, and her personal connections empower the writing. The words flow with poetic grace as the setting is described in such finite detail that it creates vivid images and arouses the senses.
Mists and Megaliths is highly recommended for readers who love excellent writing which will keep you glued to the pages from start to finish. 5 out of 5 Misty Stars for this one!
June 7, 2021
A very easy five stars for the new collection of quiet horror tales from Catherine McCarthy.
Ten stories, each with the wild beauty of Wales as their backdrop. The author's love and understanding for her land comes through strongly, whether that be the captivating pandemic-esque story 'Spirit of the Sea' (which I've heard narrated by the author - seek it out, it's wonderful), or the haunting horror of 'Cragen'.
The stand out story for me in this one was 'Coblynau', a heart-wrenching tale of dementia with the shadow of a real life horror, the Aberfan disaster of 1966, woven through it. One of the best shorts I've ever read.
There's something for everyone here, from cosmic to comedic, but one thing you can be sure of, whatever Catherine McCarthy turns her voice to, you know it will be skillfully told and beautifully crafted.
Highly recommended!
Ten stories, each with the wild beauty of Wales as their backdrop. The author's love and understanding for her land comes through strongly, whether that be the captivating pandemic-esque story 'Spirit of the Sea' (which I've heard narrated by the author - seek it out, it's wonderful), or the haunting horror of 'Cragen'.
The stand out story for me in this one was 'Coblynau', a heart-wrenching tale of dementia with the shadow of a real life horror, the Aberfan disaster of 1966, woven through it. One of the best shorts I've ever read.
There's something for everyone here, from cosmic to comedic, but one thing you can be sure of, whatever Catherine McCarthy turns her voice to, you know it will be skillfully told and beautifully crafted.
Highly recommended!
April 27, 2022
“A short story is the ultimate close-up magic trick �� a couple of thousand words to take you around the universe or break your heart.” – Neil Gaiman
I may have mentioned this once or twice before, but I have recently cultivated an appreciation for the short story, and this collection by Catherine McCarthy is one that I have wanted to explore for a while.
Mists and Megaliths, is the second collection of Catherine McCarthy’s short stories and she has also recently written a novella entitled Immortelle.
Now let me tell you I immediately loved this collection of stories. There is such a plethora of styles and tones, each story different from the last. From creeping, ominous dread, to sharp black humour and also a bit of cosmic horror (which is always going to get my vote as this is one of my favourite genres).
The stories themselves have one thing in common, in that they are about Wales in some way. This is one of the things that intrigued me about this collection, as I have recently visited the country and fell in love with the wild countryside and gorgeous vistas that were outside my door when I woke up. .
Anyway, back to the book!
One of the things that I love about horror is the vastly different ways it can be encapsulated. There can be the ultimate gross out horror or there can be that subtle feeling of unease that makes you turn your head to see if there is something hiding in the shadows behind you. Mists and Megaliths tends to fall into the latter end of that statement, and in other stories, such as Spirit of the Sea, it is barely visible. In fact, that story, the fear is based around feelings of trust, acceptance and faith and is such a wonderful story.
I enjoyed every single one of these stories. Each one bringing forth different feelings and emotions. I loved the incorporation of Welsh myth and folklore into the stories. I always have a soft spot for tales that mix folklore with the story, and these stories are so rich with it that I immediately fell in love with the tales in this book.
When reviewing this book, I wanted to write something pithy and clever, but I knew someone had said it much better than I ever could, and I think that the quote from Neil Gaiman perfectly describes what I felt with this book. There were times that my heart was broken, such as in the initial story Cragen, I went to another world with the tale Retribution, and I enjoyed each and every story.
If you want a short story collection that has a diversity of styles and tones, then I cannot recommend this one enough. I have got Door to read sometime in the future. Oh, and one last thing before I go. I have to mention the cover design of this book. I read in the acknowledgements that this is done by Catherine McCarthy's husband and I think that it perfectly captures the essence of the book.
I may have mentioned this once or twice before, but I have recently cultivated an appreciation for the short story, and this collection by Catherine McCarthy is one that I have wanted to explore for a while.
Mists and Megaliths, is the second collection of Catherine McCarthy’s short stories and she has also recently written a novella entitled Immortelle.
Now let me tell you I immediately loved this collection of stories. There is such a plethora of styles and tones, each story different from the last. From creeping, ominous dread, to sharp black humour and also a bit of cosmic horror (which is always going to get my vote as this is one of my favourite genres).
The stories themselves have one thing in common, in that they are about Wales in some way. This is one of the things that intrigued me about this collection, as I have recently visited the country and fell in love with the wild countryside and gorgeous vistas that were outside my door when I woke up. .
Anyway, back to the book!
One of the things that I love about horror is the vastly different ways it can be encapsulated. There can be the ultimate gross out horror or there can be that subtle feeling of unease that makes you turn your head to see if there is something hiding in the shadows behind you. Mists and Megaliths tends to fall into the latter end of that statement, and in other stories, such as Spirit of the Sea, it is barely visible. In fact, that story, the fear is based around feelings of trust, acceptance and faith and is such a wonderful story.
I enjoyed every single one of these stories. Each one bringing forth different feelings and emotions. I loved the incorporation of Welsh myth and folklore into the stories. I always have a soft spot for tales that mix folklore with the story, and these stories are so rich with it that I immediately fell in love with the tales in this book.
When reviewing this book, I wanted to write something pithy and clever, but I knew someone had said it much better than I ever could, and I think that the quote from Neil Gaiman perfectly describes what I felt with this book. There were times that my heart was broken, such as in the initial story Cragen, I went to another world with the tale Retribution, and I enjoyed each and every story.
If you want a short story collection that has a diversity of styles and tones, then I cannot recommend this one enough. I have got Door to read sometime in the future. Oh, and one last thing before I go. I have to mention the cover design of this book. I read in the acknowledgements that this is done by Catherine McCarthy's husband and I think that it perfectly captures the essence of the book.
June 15, 2021
What’s most striking about this collection is the sheer variety of tales on offer, particularly given there are only ten stories in total and there is a unifying theme: the Welsh folkloric and historical landscape. It would be easy to suggest that this variation is the result of a fledgling author struggling to find her voice. But that simply isn’t true. Catherine McCarthy writes with a deftness and poise that positively shines with certainty.
Lure is a strikingly modern tale told in the second person that skilfully keeps the facts just out of reach. Two’s Company, Three’s a Shroud is an entertaining exercise in dour Welsh humour. Carreg Samson sits confidently where magical realism, apocalyptic horror and folklore intersect. Retribution is an ‘imprisoned monster’ story that is really about the exploitation and manipulation of people that, despite its historical setting, speaks to the socio-political now. Jagged Edges is, on the surface, a tale of historic misdeed but is really about the cruel passage of time. Mara could be a simple ‘cursed object’ tale if it wasn’t so poignant. Ysbrid y Mȏr is (at the risk of being frivolous) a kind of Welsh The Seventh Seal, but is frighteningly relevant. The Ice House is quite a traditional ghost story, but that is not to do it down. This is ‘quite a traditional ghost story’ that would sit comfortably in The Fontana Book of Great Ghost Stories, edited by R.Chetwynd-Hayes or Robert Aickman.
For me, the two stand-out stories are Cragen and Coblynau. Both are vivid and heart-breaking. In Cragen, we have a beautifully told, emotionally charged story that doles out layer after layer of dread and culminates in as striking an image of the supernatural as I have ever come across. In Coblynau we have three stories seamlessly bound together. One is a folkloric tale of goblin-like creatures. One is the tragic, all-too-real account of a disaster everyone in the UK (certainly of my generation) is all too aware of. And one is the story of old-age, of the loss of autonomy and dignity. Catherine McCarthy captures the awfulness of dementia and the dependence it creates with sympathy and empathy. And, even more impressively, she captures the failures of those charged with caring for these lost and bewildered individuals without judgement or disdain.
I read a lot of short stories, but it has been a while since I have come across a collection so coherent and yet varied as this. The quality of the prose never falters, and even when the story drifts into the outright mythical (e.g. Carreg Samson), there is always a hard, slatey reality in evidence, and a very real beating heart at the centre of things.
Lure is a strikingly modern tale told in the second person that skilfully keeps the facts just out of reach. Two’s Company, Three’s a Shroud is an entertaining exercise in dour Welsh humour. Carreg Samson sits confidently where magical realism, apocalyptic horror and folklore intersect. Retribution is an ‘imprisoned monster’ story that is really about the exploitation and manipulation of people that, despite its historical setting, speaks to the socio-political now. Jagged Edges is, on the surface, a tale of historic misdeed but is really about the cruel passage of time. Mara could be a simple ‘cursed object’ tale if it wasn’t so poignant. Ysbrid y Mȏr is (at the risk of being frivolous) a kind of Welsh The Seventh Seal, but is frighteningly relevant. The Ice House is quite a traditional ghost story, but that is not to do it down. This is ‘quite a traditional ghost story’ that would sit comfortably in The Fontana Book of Great Ghost Stories, edited by R.Chetwynd-Hayes or Robert Aickman.
For me, the two stand-out stories are Cragen and Coblynau. Both are vivid and heart-breaking. In Cragen, we have a beautifully told, emotionally charged story that doles out layer after layer of dread and culminates in as striking an image of the supernatural as I have ever come across. In Coblynau we have three stories seamlessly bound together. One is a folkloric tale of goblin-like creatures. One is the tragic, all-too-real account of a disaster everyone in the UK (certainly of my generation) is all too aware of. And one is the story of old-age, of the loss of autonomy and dignity. Catherine McCarthy captures the awfulness of dementia and the dependence it creates with sympathy and empathy. And, even more impressively, she captures the failures of those charged with caring for these lost and bewildered individuals without judgement or disdain.
I read a lot of short stories, but it has been a while since I have come across a collection so coherent and yet varied as this. The quality of the prose never falters, and even when the story drifts into the outright mythical (e.g. Carreg Samson), there is always a hard, slatey reality in evidence, and a very real beating heart at the centre of things.
June 8, 2021
Stories from Wales are close to my heart having lived in that beautiful country for a few years and marrying a Welshman. Now, as we are about to return to Wales, this collection was a joy to dive into and provided a lyrical story-telling, as musical as the accent of the people themselves. With touches of legend and folk lore, this collection is a delight.
August 22, 2022
An Amazing Collection.
My first read from McCarthy, but certainly not my last. I enjoyed all the stories, but my favorites were "Cragen," "Jagged Edges," "Mara," "Lure," and "Coblynau." McCarthy's writing is absolutely spellbinding. Highly recommended!
My first read from McCarthy, but certainly not my last. I enjoyed all the stories, but my favorites were "Cragen," "Jagged Edges," "Mara," "Lure," and "Coblynau." McCarthy's writing is absolutely spellbinding. Highly recommended!
May 29, 2025
I first came across Catherine’s writing in 2020’s Diabolica Britannica: A Dark Isles Horror Compendium. Her short story, ‘Carreg Samson’ was the opening to this collection by various horror authors and it certainly left quite the impression. This very story was the final offering in this new collection and I enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
Mists and Megaliths is set in Catherine’s homeland, Wales. You can tell instantly that her heart and creativity is fizzing with where she lives, what she sees there and who she knows and how it makes her feel. There’s an obvious passion for Wales and I thoroughly enjoyed this theme throughout.
If you’re after blood and gore and full-on jumpy horror then this definitely isn’t one of those books. Catherine’s writing oozes with a gentle but macabre atmosphere. It’s theme of Welsh Folklore intertwined beautifully with the creepy feels, hints of paranormal and well written characters. I found I was easily transported to each place and able to visualise the beauty as well as the subtle horror she brought with her story telling.
I particularly enjoyed how Catherine wrote an introduction to each story, explaining her inspirations. Some of these stories are based on real happenings in Catherine’s life, and I found this added to the chills that I experienced whilst reading.
The very first story ‘Cragen’ had a perfect balance of mystery, horror, great characters and plot, so I thought maybe it would be hard to follow in terms of quality. As I read through the collection I gave each individual story a mark out of five, predominantly awarding 4/5, but a couple were a stand out 5/5.
Overall, I can’t fault Mists and Megaliths. My favourite from the collection is ‘Ysbrid Y Môr’ (Spirit of the Sea). It was initially written for a Welsh magazine with a Christmas theme. This is a festive story with supernatural elements, traditions and a truly heartwarming moral. The other stand out one for me was ‘Two’s Company, Three’s a Shroud’ - a darkly comic story, again, based on a real life story about the lack of space in Graveyards these days. Had me chuckling countless times, especially the characters, highly entertaining stuff!
I’ve been struggling with my concentration lately so short stories are my go-to. Mists and Megaliths is a superb collection, just enough darkness, just enough horror and plenty of fantasy to take me away. I would highly recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Mists and Megaliths is set in Catherine’s homeland, Wales. You can tell instantly that her heart and creativity is fizzing with where she lives, what she sees there and who she knows and how it makes her feel. There’s an obvious passion for Wales and I thoroughly enjoyed this theme throughout.
If you’re after blood and gore and full-on jumpy horror then this definitely isn’t one of those books. Catherine’s writing oozes with a gentle but macabre atmosphere. It’s theme of Welsh Folklore intertwined beautifully with the creepy feels, hints of paranormal and well written characters. I found I was easily transported to each place and able to visualise the beauty as well as the subtle horror she brought with her story telling.
I particularly enjoyed how Catherine wrote an introduction to each story, explaining her inspirations. Some of these stories are based on real happenings in Catherine’s life, and I found this added to the chills that I experienced whilst reading.
The very first story ‘Cragen’ had a perfect balance of mystery, horror, great characters and plot, so I thought maybe it would be hard to follow in terms of quality. As I read through the collection I gave each individual story a mark out of five, predominantly awarding 4/5, but a couple were a stand out 5/5.
Overall, I can’t fault Mists and Megaliths. My favourite from the collection is ‘Ysbrid Y Môr’ (Spirit of the Sea). It was initially written for a Welsh magazine with a Christmas theme. This is a festive story with supernatural elements, traditions and a truly heartwarming moral. The other stand out one for me was ‘Two’s Company, Three’s a Shroud’ - a darkly comic story, again, based on a real life story about the lack of space in Graveyards these days. Had me chuckling countless times, especially the characters, highly entertaining stuff!
I’ve been struggling with my concentration lately so short stories are my go-to. Mists and Megaliths is a superb collection, just enough darkness, just enough horror and plenty of fantasy to take me away. I would highly recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
May 1, 2021
This book was a pure delight. Each story in this collection oozes its setting, letting the reader not only get a sense of the time and place, but to feel it. Brimming with history, folklore, and myth, McCarthy transports the reader to places where the everyday takes on an otherworldly, and oftentimes sinister, aspect.
The horror is subtle, creeping in slowly but relentlessly. And like any good ghost, it's always flitting in one's periphery, never in your face, unsettling the reader incrementally until it's too late.
There's a lot here to love; from the creepiness of an imaginary friend to slithering cosmic horror, or the class warfare wrought by vengeful spirit. The stand-outs for me were CRAGEN, the spirit box tale of MARA, and the brilliantly-executed LURE. The story notes that accompany each tale were a real treat, offering a glimpse into the inspiration of each story. All in all, this is a great collection, and now I'm really looking forward to the release of Catherine McCarthy's novel, IMMORTELLE, this July. It's gonna be a great summer for reading!
The horror is subtle, creeping in slowly but relentlessly. And like any good ghost, it's always flitting in one's periphery, never in your face, unsettling the reader incrementally until it's too late.
There's a lot here to love; from the creepiness of an imaginary friend to slithering cosmic horror, or the class warfare wrought by vengeful spirit. The stand-outs for me were CRAGEN, the spirit box tale of MARA, and the brilliantly-executed LURE. The story notes that accompany each tale were a real treat, offering a glimpse into the inspiration of each story. All in all, this is a great collection, and now I'm really looking forward to the release of Catherine McCarthy's novel, IMMORTELLE, this July. It's gonna be a great summer for reading!
November 19, 2021
Some great stories
Some fantastic stories in this book. There is something for everyone here. I have read other books by Catherine she is a great story teller.
Some fantastic stories in this book. There is something for everyone here. I have read other books by Catherine she is a great story teller.
February 21, 2022
The best horror collections offer the reader a mix of emotions and tone: creeping terror, unsettling chills and outright horror and disgust, mixed with the beautiful, the meaningful, the metaphoric and the poignant. It’s a tricky balance, but blimey has Catherine McCarthy struck that balance perfectly here with this Welsh folklore-centred horror collection. This is a horror writer in perfect command of voice and tone and it makes this collection a bag of wonders from start to finish.
On the creeping terror side we have two stories, Cragen and The Ice House, which wring an impressive amount of dread from the continuing motif of the smell of the seaside and the sensation of growing cold, respectively. The climatic horror set piece of Cragen is particularly brutal and memorable (one particular image of a crab will stay in my memory for a while) and reminded me of the sort of numbing sense of shock and disbelief I got at the end of the film version of The Mist (a niche reference, but if you know, you know). But set against these chills we have the beautiful sense of fable and humanity in the supernatural fable Ysbrid Y Môr, and the sublime poetry of “rock with feelings” tale Carreg Samson (of which more later).
There is a wonderful sense of the Welsh folklore landscape here, which is mixed with real Welsh socio-industrial history to form a smorgasbord of Welsh identity, gripping the reader tight with its intoxicating blend of mythos, folk memory and real memory. On the one hand we have spirits and gods, and gremlins that inhabit mines; and on the other we have the mines themselves: the real accidents, the real closures, the real changes in the Welsh landscape from industrial to tourism based and beyond. Even with my woefully limited knowledge of Welsh folklore and history, I felt enmeshed in this half-imagined, half-real mystical landscape. There is even a blend of distinctly un-Welsh Cthulhu-style cosmic horror thrown in, yet it feels entirely natural amongst the Welsh scenery.
What makes this collection stand out, perhaps, is McCarthy’s command of voice. In Jagged Edges and Coblynau we are memorably put in the heads of two confused elderly gentleman, confused for very different reasons; the latter tale in particular is an astoundingly moving and heart-breaking tale of memory and its failure. Then, more experimentally, In Lure, a slow-burn tale of creeping dread with a shocker of an ending, we have the second person voice, the person being the Lake, speaking to its fisherman, a narrative technique pulled off perfectly which lends the story a whole new sense of unnatural ease.
Speaking of voice, this brings us to the final tale of the collection, the simply astounding Carreg Samson. The narrator in this tale is a cromlech, which for those of you not versed in the Welsh landscape is “a megalithic construction consisting of a large flat stone laid on upright ones” (my own Googling there I should note). This cromlech overlooks a harbour, and appears to develop sentience thanks to being visited over time by a young girl and eventually young woman. The cromlech, like many of its kind, have been watching over the Earth and watched us slowly destroy it; it senses an evil force coming to correct humanity’s misdeeds.
It’s hard to explain the power of this last story but it simply needs to be read; the combination of the cromlech’s sense of the world and humanity’s role in it combined with its poignant, heart-breaking love for this girl and the creeping sense of dread at what’s coming combines to produce one of the most emotionally powerful, beautifully told and simply astonishing tales I’ve ever read. I’m serious: this will be one of the best short stories you will ever read. The rest of the collection is wonderful, but this is exceptional, and summarises the beauty of short story collections: sometimes you come across talent, but sometimes you come across a marvel.
On the creeping terror side we have two stories, Cragen and The Ice House, which wring an impressive amount of dread from the continuing motif of the smell of the seaside and the sensation of growing cold, respectively. The climatic horror set piece of Cragen is particularly brutal and memorable (one particular image of a crab will stay in my memory for a while) and reminded me of the sort of numbing sense of shock and disbelief I got at the end of the film version of The Mist (a niche reference, but if you know, you know). But set against these chills we have the beautiful sense of fable and humanity in the supernatural fable Ysbrid Y Môr, and the sublime poetry of “rock with feelings” tale Carreg Samson (of which more later).
There is a wonderful sense of the Welsh folklore landscape here, which is mixed with real Welsh socio-industrial history to form a smorgasbord of Welsh identity, gripping the reader tight with its intoxicating blend of mythos, folk memory and real memory. On the one hand we have spirits and gods, and gremlins that inhabit mines; and on the other we have the mines themselves: the real accidents, the real closures, the real changes in the Welsh landscape from industrial to tourism based and beyond. Even with my woefully limited knowledge of Welsh folklore and history, I felt enmeshed in this half-imagined, half-real mystical landscape. There is even a blend of distinctly un-Welsh Cthulhu-style cosmic horror thrown in, yet it feels entirely natural amongst the Welsh scenery.
What makes this collection stand out, perhaps, is McCarthy’s command of voice. In Jagged Edges and Coblynau we are memorably put in the heads of two confused elderly gentleman, confused for very different reasons; the latter tale in particular is an astoundingly moving and heart-breaking tale of memory and its failure. Then, more experimentally, In Lure, a slow-burn tale of creeping dread with a shocker of an ending, we have the second person voice, the person being the Lake, speaking to its fisherman, a narrative technique pulled off perfectly which lends the story a whole new sense of unnatural ease.
Speaking of voice, this brings us to the final tale of the collection, the simply astounding Carreg Samson. The narrator in this tale is a cromlech, which for those of you not versed in the Welsh landscape is “a megalithic construction consisting of a large flat stone laid on upright ones” (my own Googling there I should note). This cromlech overlooks a harbour, and appears to develop sentience thanks to being visited over time by a young girl and eventually young woman. The cromlech, like many of its kind, have been watching over the Earth and watched us slowly destroy it; it senses an evil force coming to correct humanity’s misdeeds.
It’s hard to explain the power of this last story but it simply needs to be read; the combination of the cromlech’s sense of the world and humanity’s role in it combined with its poignant, heart-breaking love for this girl and the creeping sense of dread at what’s coming combines to produce one of the most emotionally powerful, beautifully told and simply astonishing tales I’ve ever read. I’m serious: this will be one of the best short stories you will ever read. The rest of the collection is wonderful, but this is exceptional, and summarises the beauty of short story collections: sometimes you come across talent, but sometimes you come across a marvel.
April 29, 2021
Highly enjoyable collection of short stories that I would classify as gentle horror mixed with a healthy sprinkling of mythology and lots of imagination. Like all good anthologies, there is something for everyone here from ghost tales to creature features to a view into a very humorous housing dilemma in the afterlife. Some of my favorites were "Cragen" about a less-than-friendly imaginary childhood friend; "Jagged Edges" which effectively explores a classic haunting trope; and the "Ice House," a great, atmospheric Gothic tale. I like that the author isn't afraid to take chances either, writing a rare second person narrative ("Lure") as well as one from the point of view of an ancient ritual stone who has witnessed the march of human destruction across its corner of the planet and is an unwilling participant in the land's revenge ("Carreg Samson"). Throughout all the stories, the author's love for her native Wales shines through, adding authenticity and insight into local customs and folklore. Expertly and confidently written, I think these entertaining stories will appeal to fans of horror that explore the human (and not-so-human) condition with an astute and compassionate eye.
Read
July 10, 2022I’ve been eagerly anticipating this collection for some time. Catherine’s work keeps going from strength to strength, and this collection is a fine example of the kind of range she can explore within dark and supernatural fiction.
The positioning of stories throughout is great, some areas hitting us with dark tales before soothing it with a hint of comedy, or a supernatural twist - everything flows brilliantly. My only real nitpick lands with some conclusions feeling a smidge underwhelming, but it doesn't detract from the overall collection enough to drag the rating down for me.
Without spoiling anything, my thoughts on each story below:
Cragen
Great choice for the opening. Sets the tone exceptionally well, each scene is soaked with tension to hook the reader immediately. With the recurring image of shells throughout the piece, the questions kept on coming and built up to a tragic, poignant resolution.
Two’s Company, Three’s A Shroud
I read this back when Graveyard Smash from Kandisha Press came out, and I still love this tale. Humor is a bit of a difficult sell for me sometimes, but this one got it just right. The main character is vivid, relatable, and his interactions with others give some great laughs.
Jagged Edges
Great sense of character right off the bat in this one, so I was immediately invested in uncovering the mystery of his past. This one was a corker for some of the imagery and, again, my curiosity kept heightening with each scene. Concluded with a solid, logical twist which didn’t come out of left field, but unraveled at just the right moment.
Mara
The notes alone are haunting on this one. It was equal parts enjoyable and awful watching all these horrific events transpire until they came to a boiling point. The ending, as well, suggested so much with so little, that I dread to think about the unknown fates of those left in the wake of this nightmarish tale.
Retribution
Really ominous opening. Particularly fond of the story-telling feel of this one, works well in piecing together what transpired whilst keeping it immediate to the reader. Love the strange play on the concept of empathy, humanity, and ‘monsters’ with this, too.
Ysbrid Y Mor
Again, like Two’s Company, I’ve read this one before and like that tale this, too, offers some nice levity in the collection by easing off the pedal a little bit, giving us an atmospheric, supernatural tale instead. Gorgeous imagery through this and very apt for our current circumstance.
The Ice House
What an opening! Had me swooning from the start. Scene setting and imagery in this one is wonderful - you can really immerse yourself. Equal parts haunting and melancholy, which is just the way I like my horror.
Lure
Read this one a couple of times before both in beta reads and in Kandisha’s The One That Got Away anthology. This is hands down one of my favourite stories I’ve read from Catherine. I’m a sucker for second person perspective, and this manages the POV fantastically. Full of character, you can see, smell, and feel every scene, and it really presses the reader against the story whether you like it or not. A truly dark little tale that unravels bit by painful bit. Love it.
Coblynau
I felt a morose sort of attachment to this story right out the gate. My Dad and a lot of his family were miners, so I know the tragic sort of stories you collect from them over the years. The circumstances of the main character reminded me a lot of a family member I lost last year, as well. Bit of a tough read for me in that respect. Everything feels dream-like, not quite close to you despite the tense choice, but does the story a service. All I’ll really say is this one’ll stick with you.
Carreg Samson
Caught this one in the Diabolica Britannica anthology and it remains another one of my favourite stories. Not only does this story hold a strong message, it really manages to tug on your emotions in all sorts of ways. Fate feels so far out of your hands and all you can do is watch it slip away from you.
I didn’t ever really doubt I’d enjoyed this collection. While each story has its own merits, my favourites remain: Cragen, Jagged Edges, Lure, Coblynau, and Carreg Samson. Beautifully put together short story collection.
The positioning of stories throughout is great, some areas hitting us with dark tales before soothing it with a hint of comedy, or a supernatural twist - everything flows brilliantly. My only real nitpick lands with some conclusions feeling a smidge underwhelming, but it doesn't detract from the overall collection enough to drag the rating down for me.
Without spoiling anything, my thoughts on each story below:
Cragen
Great choice for the opening. Sets the tone exceptionally well, each scene is soaked with tension to hook the reader immediately. With the recurring image of shells throughout the piece, the questions kept on coming and built up to a tragic, poignant resolution.
Two’s Company, Three’s A Shroud
I read this back when Graveyard Smash from Kandisha Press came out, and I still love this tale. Humor is a bit of a difficult sell for me sometimes, but this one got it just right. The main character is vivid, relatable, and his interactions with others give some great laughs.
Jagged Edges
Great sense of character right off the bat in this one, so I was immediately invested in uncovering the mystery of his past. This one was a corker for some of the imagery and, again, my curiosity kept heightening with each scene. Concluded with a solid, logical twist which didn’t come out of left field, but unraveled at just the right moment.
Mara
The notes alone are haunting on this one. It was equal parts enjoyable and awful watching all these horrific events transpire until they came to a boiling point. The ending, as well, suggested so much with so little, that I dread to think about the unknown fates of those left in the wake of this nightmarish tale.
Retribution
Really ominous opening. Particularly fond of the story-telling feel of this one, works well in piecing together what transpired whilst keeping it immediate to the reader. Love the strange play on the concept of empathy, humanity, and ‘monsters’ with this, too.
Ysbrid Y Mor
Again, like Two’s Company, I’ve read this one before and like that tale this, too, offers some nice levity in the collection by easing off the pedal a little bit, giving us an atmospheric, supernatural tale instead. Gorgeous imagery through this and very apt for our current circumstance.
The Ice House
What an opening! Had me swooning from the start. Scene setting and imagery in this one is wonderful - you can really immerse yourself. Equal parts haunting and melancholy, which is just the way I like my horror.
Lure
Read this one a couple of times before both in beta reads and in Kandisha’s The One That Got Away anthology. This is hands down one of my favourite stories I’ve read from Catherine. I’m a sucker for second person perspective, and this manages the POV fantastically. Full of character, you can see, smell, and feel every scene, and it really presses the reader against the story whether you like it or not. A truly dark little tale that unravels bit by painful bit. Love it.
Coblynau
I felt a morose sort of attachment to this story right out the gate. My Dad and a lot of his family were miners, so I know the tragic sort of stories you collect from them over the years. The circumstances of the main character reminded me a lot of a family member I lost last year, as well. Bit of a tough read for me in that respect. Everything feels dream-like, not quite close to you despite the tense choice, but does the story a service. All I’ll really say is this one’ll stick with you.
Carreg Samson
Caught this one in the Diabolica Britannica anthology and it remains another one of my favourite stories. Not only does this story hold a strong message, it really manages to tug on your emotions in all sorts of ways. Fate feels so far out of your hands and all you can do is watch it slip away from you.
I didn’t ever really doubt I’d enjoyed this collection. While each story has its own merits, my favourites remain: Cragen, Jagged Edges, Lure, Coblynau, and Carreg Samson. Beautifully put together short story collection.
June 21, 2021
4.5*
I read this over a period of two days, and was most impressed. Catherine McCarthy's love of her country and the spiritual attachment she feels to its past are so evident, all the way through; I haven't been to Wales for many years, and it made me want to go back there.
In every collection such there will be those you love, those you like, and those that don't quite hit the spot for you, but there is not one weak story in Mists and Megaliths. One of the aspects I loved was that I didn't guess how any of them were going to end. Not one - and the writing itself made me fall into the story, each time. My favourites were:
MÃRA - about a husband and wife who purchase a 'spirit box' before moving into a new house, not knowing what they are living with... in the notes for the story (there are notes for each one, a feature I liked very much, as it made them mean so much more), we learn that this is semi-autobiographical. It's a real shocker.
RETRIBUTION - about a certain darkness that falls over a village and its church, and what Ewan Jenkins does to remedy this.
COBLYNAU - an old man with dementia, sitting by a window in a residential care home, wonders when the Coblynau, the mythical goblin-like creatures that haunt mines and quarries, will arrive for him. I loved this one partly because it made me think of visiting my mother in the care home in which she lived for around six years before she died (Alzheimer's), and how we would see her struggle to find the words she wanted to say. Also, it reminded me of sewing her name tapes into her clothes!
CARREG SAMSON - I was pleased to find this one at the end, and enjoyed reading it again. Carreg Samson is a huge, ancient stone that has watched the movements of man over millennia, and knows that another period of darkness is coming soon...
If you're a fan of the darkly mystical and folklore (or is it merely folklore?), you will love these stories. Well done, Catherine McCarthy - a fine collection!
June 14, 2021
A wonderful collection
Mists and Megaliths is an assured collection of stories written in smooth, dreamlike prose that, ironically, lures you in (Lure being one of the collections highlights!).
A theme Catherine McCarthy returns to seems to be the effects of modernity encroaching upon nature, and it’s explored in various ways and, interestingly, from some eclectic viewpoints.
The stories also ooze the author’s love of Wales and its language and culture, a passion that strengthens the collection and the strong storytelling voice.
Highlights include Ysbrid Y Môr, Coblynau, Lure, and Carreg Samson. If you’re a fan of slow-burning quiet horror, this is the collection for you.
Mists and Megaliths is an assured collection of stories written in smooth, dreamlike prose that, ironically, lures you in (Lure being one of the collections highlights!).
A theme Catherine McCarthy returns to seems to be the effects of modernity encroaching upon nature, and it’s explored in various ways and, interestingly, from some eclectic viewpoints.
The stories also ooze the author’s love of Wales and its language and culture, a passion that strengthens the collection and the strong storytelling voice.
Highlights include Ysbrid Y Môr, Coblynau, Lure, and Carreg Samson. If you’re a fan of slow-burning quiet horror, this is the collection for you.
July 21, 2022
Great collection
A great collection with varied subjects, some interesting points of view, great atmosphere. I liked the introductions before each story.
A great collection with varied subjects, some interesting points of view, great atmosphere. I liked the introductions before each story.
June 11, 2021
I'd actually read one or two of these stories in prior anthologies/magazines, but telling of the quality of the whole ensemble was the fact that I didn't skim over any of them on that second read.
The thematic thread running through this anthology, of being all set in Wales - along with cool little lists of vocabulary at the beginning of many of the stories - adds a certain power to this collection, along with the always-welcome author notes about little nuggets of inspiration, etc.
I spent a bit of time between tales in this book trying to classify what sub-genre I'd put it into and the closest I came was a sort of modern gothic, in terms of style. Though that's not a universal fit by any means.
What all the stories have in common is a deft hand in terms of when to paint lush literary landscapes and when to rein in the prose to tight, minimalist dialogue and events. When to present something beautiful and when to deliver grime and grit.
I normally read collections and anthos over a period of weeks, unless I'm reviewing for a magazine or website, but this one was moreish. After each story, I'd look at my watch and think "just one more" until there were no more.
I really can't recommend this book enough. Easy five stars.
The thematic thread running through this anthology, of being all set in Wales - along with cool little lists of vocabulary at the beginning of many of the stories - adds a certain power to this collection, along with the always-welcome author notes about little nuggets of inspiration, etc.
I spent a bit of time between tales in this book trying to classify what sub-genre I'd put it into and the closest I came was a sort of modern gothic, in terms of style. Though that's not a universal fit by any means.
What all the stories have in common is a deft hand in terms of when to paint lush literary landscapes and when to rein in the prose to tight, minimalist dialogue and events. When to present something beautiful and when to deliver grime and grit.
I normally read collections and anthos over a period of weeks, unless I'm reviewing for a magazine or website, but this one was moreish. After each story, I'd look at my watch and think "just one more" until there were no more.
I really can't recommend this book enough. Easy five stars.
November 29, 2021
Review upcoming.
May 10, 2021
This collection contains ten tales ranging from cosmic horror to unsettled ghosts, foreboding gothic, dark humour and old myths and legends from Wales. I don't think I've ever come across a Welsh themed horror anthology before, but it works so well!
Catherine McCarthy is an author I have gotten to know when we both appeared in Diabolica Britannica, a charity anthology of British horror. I absolutely fell in love with her tale Carreg Samson, told from the perspective of a rather unusual character, an old standing stone. It was such a powerful tale that starts off so sweet and sentimental and then gets you in the gut in the last minute. When I saw she had released her own collection, I jumped at the chance to read more of her work.
Catherine's writing is just so transportive, you get the sense you really are in Wales. The atmosphere she builds up is brilliant and in this collection she uses many settings and time periods and all of them felt so real.
These are really emotional stories, which only a great writer can achieve, you just feel so involved. Her writing is also full of charm and charisma which reminds me of Mary Williams who wrote numerous collections of ghosts stories all based in Cornwall drawing upon the old myths and legends from our Celtic heritage.
Catherine is so passionate about Wales and it really comes through in her stories, I loved this collection and now really want to go there for a holiday! This collection has left me really excited for July when her debut novella Immortelle will be released from Off Limits Press.
It's really hard to pick a favourite from these tales I genuinely really enjoyed them all. Carreg Samsom remains one of my faves from reading Diabolica Britannica and is still really powerful whenever I read it. I think this tale perfectly shows Catherine McCarthy ability to really tug at your heart strings and then terrify you!
The Ice House was amazing, a gothic horror tale of revenge. Coblynau a tale about an old man struggling with dementia, looking back on his life as he tries to stay afloat, it was just so haunting. These tales are so effective as on the surface they feel very normal like this to could happen to anyone and then slowly the horror trickles in.
I loved Lure, this tale was much darker than the others and was just so evocative of the Welsh landscape. I really felt like I was on the lake with our young fisherman who hides a terrible secret.
Retribution was a brilliant cosmic horror tale which had some serious Lovecraft vibes! Ysbrid Y Mor was a sweet yule themed tale. Mara and Cragen for me were the scariest tales, I very much enjoyed them both!
Catherine McCarthy is an author I have gotten to know when we both appeared in Diabolica Britannica, a charity anthology of British horror. I absolutely fell in love with her tale Carreg Samson, told from the perspective of a rather unusual character, an old standing stone. It was such a powerful tale that starts off so sweet and sentimental and then gets you in the gut in the last minute. When I saw she had released her own collection, I jumped at the chance to read more of her work.
Catherine's writing is just so transportive, you get the sense you really are in Wales. The atmosphere she builds up is brilliant and in this collection she uses many settings and time periods and all of them felt so real.
These are really emotional stories, which only a great writer can achieve, you just feel so involved. Her writing is also full of charm and charisma which reminds me of Mary Williams who wrote numerous collections of ghosts stories all based in Cornwall drawing upon the old myths and legends from our Celtic heritage.
Catherine is so passionate about Wales and it really comes through in her stories, I loved this collection and now really want to go there for a holiday! This collection has left me really excited for July when her debut novella Immortelle will be released from Off Limits Press.
It's really hard to pick a favourite from these tales I genuinely really enjoyed them all. Carreg Samsom remains one of my faves from reading Diabolica Britannica and is still really powerful whenever I read it. I think this tale perfectly shows Catherine McCarthy ability to really tug at your heart strings and then terrify you!
The Ice House was amazing, a gothic horror tale of revenge. Coblynau a tale about an old man struggling with dementia, looking back on his life as he tries to stay afloat, it was just so haunting. These tales are so effective as on the surface they feel very normal like this to could happen to anyone and then slowly the horror trickles in.
I loved Lure, this tale was much darker than the others and was just so evocative of the Welsh landscape. I really felt like I was on the lake with our young fisherman who hides a terrible secret.
Retribution was a brilliant cosmic horror tale which had some serious Lovecraft vibes! Ysbrid Y Mor was a sweet yule themed tale. Mara and Cragen for me were the scariest tales, I very much enjoyed them both!
April 28, 2021
Excellent collection.
I read this very greedily. One story after another. There were none I didn't love. All the personal introductions add a special touch too. Absolutely brilliant.
I lost half a day with this book, but it wasn't lost in that sense, because it was time well spent.
Very creepy and deliciously dark. 5 stars
I read this very greedily. One story after another. There were none I didn't love. All the personal introductions add a special touch too. Absolutely brilliant.
I lost half a day with this book, but it wasn't lost in that sense, because it was time well spent.
Very creepy and deliciously dark. 5 stars
April 8, 2022
Haunting
A couple buy a house but have strange things happen. A man becomes obsessed with fishing, but is something after him. Chillingly beautiful tales to haunt you. Great characters unique stories.
A couple buy a house but have strange things happen. A man becomes obsessed with fishing, but is something after him. Chillingly beautiful tales to haunt you. Great characters unique stories.
October 5, 2021
Catherine McCarthy’s passion for her homeland, Wales, forms the core of all of the stories in this collection of shorts. It’s a theme you can really be immersed in, there’s so much love injected into the descriptive easy-going narrative style of McCarthy’s prose, you can feel the rugged coastlines, the ancestral homes, the mountain lakes, and remote fishing villages. They say you should write what you know -Catherine leaves us in no doubt that Wales is where her heart is, and that she is its daughter, with every cell of her being.
I had read a couple of shorts from Mrs. McCarthy, prior to starting this collection, so I was expecting breathtaking description, chillingly gothic atmospheres, well-constructed shorts, inner monologue, thought process, and sensory writing as the base of all of the stories. And it’s true to say that Catherine stayed true to form. The range of presentation though – now that came as a welcome surprise. Catherine’s storytelling is as diverse as it is inspirational.
Highlights for me were the wonderful Coblynau, Lure, and Cragen, but there’s very little in here that didn’t read poetically. Spending time in Catherine’s finely constructed worlds is “precious time”, time deservingly spent. I was frustrated by my increasingly busy week, and the time I had to spend away from her book, though that increased the anticipation, of course.
Coblynau was – well – it hit close to home. The mining underlying theme, and how Catherine illustrated it, was fantastic, building layer upon layer of reality into her story, but the perspective of the old man – just heartbreaking. This is all about story, and yes, I related it to my own experiences with my mother. Of course. That I could, that I would want to make that comparative connection, that speaks of how well she wrote it.
Cragen used foreshadowing and tragedy – we know before we embark that the story does not end well, and that mounting sense of inevitability plays a massive part in making the atmosphere as wet, drizzly, sickening, and doom-laden as it is. It’s fantastic, and a great opener, you know right from the get-go that you are in the hands of a professional. Kudos, Mrs. McCarthy.
One thing I wanted to mention, as have other reviewers, are the Author’s notes between the stories, by means of introduction. I thought they worked well – I’ve seen authors' notes before that did the opposite – here, they are well placed and add resonance to the atmosphere of the writing – again, a focus on McCarthy’s own experiences adds legitimacy to the shorts and contributes to the atmosphere she creates.
McCarthy’s narrative is bewitching, mesmeric in its smooth presentation and build-up, there’s nothing to find fault with here, it is as flawless in its presentation as one gets. Reviewing it becomes an exercise in realization – McCarthy is at the top of her game, a voice so distinct that I feel awkward in voicing any opinion because opinions infer judgment, and how does one judge an Author that does what she does so well - comparisons do her no justice. I don’t feel authoritative enough to be able to do so, and certainly not in the field that Catherine calls her own, atmospheric descriptive emotional horror.
We can just hope that her writing doesn’t stop. It was enchanting, Catherine.
Now let’s see about Immortelle.
Five out of five ⭐’s
I had read a couple of shorts from Mrs. McCarthy, prior to starting this collection, so I was expecting breathtaking description, chillingly gothic atmospheres, well-constructed shorts, inner monologue, thought process, and sensory writing as the base of all of the stories. And it’s true to say that Catherine stayed true to form. The range of presentation though – now that came as a welcome surprise. Catherine’s storytelling is as diverse as it is inspirational.
Highlights for me were the wonderful Coblynau, Lure, and Cragen, but there’s very little in here that didn’t read poetically. Spending time in Catherine’s finely constructed worlds is “precious time”, time deservingly spent. I was frustrated by my increasingly busy week, and the time I had to spend away from her book, though that increased the anticipation, of course.
Coblynau was – well – it hit close to home. The mining underlying theme, and how Catherine illustrated it, was fantastic, building layer upon layer of reality into her story, but the perspective of the old man – just heartbreaking. This is all about story, and yes, I related it to my own experiences with my mother. Of course. That I could, that I would want to make that comparative connection, that speaks of how well she wrote it.
Cragen used foreshadowing and tragedy – we know before we embark that the story does not end well, and that mounting sense of inevitability plays a massive part in making the atmosphere as wet, drizzly, sickening, and doom-laden as it is. It’s fantastic, and a great opener, you know right from the get-go that you are in the hands of a professional. Kudos, Mrs. McCarthy.
One thing I wanted to mention, as have other reviewers, are the Author’s notes between the stories, by means of introduction. I thought they worked well – I’ve seen authors' notes before that did the opposite – here, they are well placed and add resonance to the atmosphere of the writing – again, a focus on McCarthy’s own experiences adds legitimacy to the shorts and contributes to the atmosphere she creates.
McCarthy’s narrative is bewitching, mesmeric in its smooth presentation and build-up, there’s nothing to find fault with here, it is as flawless in its presentation as one gets. Reviewing it becomes an exercise in realization – McCarthy is at the top of her game, a voice so distinct that I feel awkward in voicing any opinion because opinions infer judgment, and how does one judge an Author that does what she does so well - comparisons do her no justice. I don’t feel authoritative enough to be able to do so, and certainly not in the field that Catherine calls her own, atmospheric descriptive emotional horror.
We can just hope that her writing doesn’t stop. It was enchanting, Catherine.
Now let’s see about Immortelle.
Five out of five ⭐’s
May 2, 2021
This is a ten story collection of quiet horror, Welsh myth and legends retold, fables with the odd dash of Gothic blended in. I first came across Catherine McCarthy's fiction last year and enjoyed it so much I've sought out her stories as/when they were published- so heads up - 4-5 of the stories in this collection are reprints (and/or extended versions)- and I had read them before, but for most readers and new readers that won't the the case. Each story is prefaced by an interesting few paragraphs by the author on the history of the tale or its significance or source. I liked these, and found them engaging. However I also think you can read the stories without those prefaces too. The stories are more than strong enough to stand alone. Opening line in 'Cragen' :- 'The death of the bird was an omen ...' well I was hooked, from page one. I have a freakish phobia of birds (OK from a distance flying, but no nearer, thank you), and this opening tale of an only child (with an invisible friend who the parents think isn't real) is powerful and oh so sad. I was that only child once and could relate. Another fave was 'Two's Company, Three's a Shroud' a black comedy which made me shiver and laugh. McCarthy's writing is visual and evocative and almost poetic at times. She has a very distinct voice. Her love of her homeland, Wales, comes through intensely too. Another fave is 'Ysbrid Y Mor' (Spirit of the Sea), one I first read last year in the online version of 'Life and Style' a Welsh magazine. It's a beautifully told supernatural tale (PG 12!) of an village by the sea, totally isolating itself from the plague ravaging the land, and of a visiting stranger on Christmas Eve who carries a sack which rattles - 'a ghost from the sea' - is he? or something more? Is his message worth listening to? for isolation has made the villagers sad and bitter. A tale so relevant in our current lock down/covid-stricken times. I loved this one. The Gothic tale of 'The Ice House' ticked all my boxes too - after all what could go wrong in an ice house?
If you want out and out gore or splatterpunk - well, that's fine, but that's not what's in this collection, so you'd have to look elsewhere.
I think there will be much more to come from McCarthy's elegant pen in 2021 and beyond. She is a voice to watch in horror.
If you want out and out gore or splatterpunk - well, that's fine, but that's not what's in this collection, so you'd have to look elsewhere.
I think there will be much more to come from McCarthy's elegant pen in 2021 and beyond. She is a voice to watch in horror.
October 30, 2023
A short story collection taking place in Wales with all sorts of supernatural things happening. Some spooky, some not so.
I came across this one on Twitter before Halloween/Spooktober and decided I needed to read this one for the October month of spookiness! I was looking forward to it. I wrote a short bit + gave each story a star rating. Let’s get started!
Cragen: Star rating, 4.5 stars This one was the BEST story. About a little girl, a imaginary friend (or is it), seaweed and shells, and things going scarier with each turn.
Two’s company, three’s a shroud: Star rating, 1.5 stars This one seemed familiar, maybe I did read this one in the bit of Graveyard Smash I read. But the story was just eh. The characters eh. Nothing explained. The ending annoyed me.
Jagged Edges: Star rating, 2.5 starsKnew what was up with Harold very early on. It was an OK story, a bit too long for me, probably also because I knew early on what was with Harold. I did like that we got a bit more on what happened to Harold as the story got further and saw him try to figure things out.
Mãra: Star rating, 4 starsOK this was messed up, but it was so good. It had quite a few No Thank You moments. Hopefully the guy is OK in the end.
Retribution: Star rating, 1.5 stars I mean it had some good points but it just felt WAY too long and the creature just not scary. I just found myself tuning out many a times.
Ysbrid y Môr: Star rating, 4.5 stars This one was good! A Christmas tale about hope and allowing strangers to stay. I was worried as the Story Notes talked about Covid, but thankfully it was not a story about that, not exactly. Sickness yes. And how isolated each village was. It was a good story and loved how hopeful it was. The old man felt like a more supernatural Santa.
The Ice House: Star rating, 3 stars Oh, I did like this story, it was definitely spooky and at times scary. One person dead, frozen in fear, and now something is after the daughter and I was more than eager to find out what was happening in this house. Vengeful ghosts, oh yes. I felt for Eira, wanted to give her a hug.
Lure: Star rating, 2.5 stars Fishing. Fishing. Oh, memories of murder, how lovely cough. Finding a lure bit by bit and I was verrrry curious what would happen next.
Coblynau: Star rating, 3 stars More sad than scary/supernatural, but still a good story as we learn about his time in the mine, about the Coblynau. But I hated how the care people acted and how shit they treated people, I felt for that poor man. Already lost in his memories and then he is treated like this. Oh we don’t want accidents, hop a catheter in him. Nope. It was interesting to read about Coblynau.
Carreg Samson: DNF. Sorry, I tried. But this was just not my story.
I loved that each story had Story Notes to start it with some information on the story, inspiration, personal stories, and also some more information on folklore. It was quite fun to read and I actually started looking forward to reading them!
Plus, extra points to the fact this one took place in Wales. I love it when we get stories centred around a specific theme, like in this case Wales.
All in all, as you can see, 5 stories with 3 or higher and 5 stories with less than 3. Not too bad I guess, but still I had expected just a bit more from this collection. That would make it 2.5 stars as that sits in the middle of 5 stars, but I am upping it a bit because I love that they are all set in Wales + the Story Notes really added to the book.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I came across this one on Twitter before Halloween/Spooktober and decided I needed to read this one for the October month of spookiness! I was looking forward to it. I wrote a short bit + gave each story a star rating. Let’s get started!
Cragen: Star rating, 4.5 stars This one was the BEST story. About a little girl, a imaginary friend (or is it), seaweed and shells, and things going scarier with each turn.
Two’s company, three’s a shroud: Star rating, 1.5 stars This one seemed familiar, maybe I did read this one in the bit of Graveyard Smash I read. But the story was just eh. The characters eh. Nothing explained. The ending annoyed me.
Jagged Edges: Star rating, 2.5 starsKnew what was up with Harold very early on. It was an OK story, a bit too long for me, probably also because I knew early on what was with Harold. I did like that we got a bit more on what happened to Harold as the story got further and saw him try to figure things out.
Mãra: Star rating, 4 starsOK this was messed up, but it was so good. It had quite a few No Thank You moments. Hopefully the guy is OK in the end.
Retribution: Star rating, 1.5 stars I mean it had some good points but it just felt WAY too long and the creature just not scary. I just found myself tuning out many a times.
Ysbrid y Môr: Star rating, 4.5 stars This one was good! A Christmas tale about hope and allowing strangers to stay. I was worried as the Story Notes talked about Covid, but thankfully it was not a story about that, not exactly. Sickness yes. And how isolated each village was. It was a good story and loved how hopeful it was. The old man felt like a more supernatural Santa.
The Ice House: Star rating, 3 stars Oh, I did like this story, it was definitely spooky and at times scary. One person dead, frozen in fear, and now something is after the daughter and I was more than eager to find out what was happening in this house. Vengeful ghosts, oh yes. I felt for Eira, wanted to give her a hug.
Lure: Star rating, 2.5 stars Fishing. Fishing. Oh, memories of murder, how lovely cough. Finding a lure bit by bit and I was verrrry curious what would happen next.
Coblynau: Star rating, 3 stars More sad than scary/supernatural, but still a good story as we learn about his time in the mine, about the Coblynau. But I hated how the care people acted and how shit they treated people, I felt for that poor man. Already lost in his memories and then he is treated like this. Oh we don’t want accidents, hop a catheter in him. Nope. It was interesting to read about Coblynau.
Carreg Samson: DNF. Sorry, I tried. But this was just not my story.
I loved that each story had Story Notes to start it with some information on the story, inspiration, personal stories, and also some more information on folklore. It was quite fun to read and I actually started looking forward to reading them!
Plus, extra points to the fact this one took place in Wales. I love it when we get stories centred around a specific theme, like in this case Wales.
All in all, as you can see, 5 stories with 3 or higher and 5 stories with less than 3. Not too bad I guess, but still I had expected just a bit more from this collection. That would make it 2.5 stars as that sits in the middle of 5 stars, but I am upping it a bit because I love that they are all set in Wales + the Story Notes really added to the book.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
July 6, 2025
Author Catherine McCarthy draws on her Welsh heritage, local landmarks, history, and mythology in this collection of short stories, all set in Wales. The stories range from ghost stories to weird fiction, and in tone from horror to more lighthearted fair, but each are atmospheric and I appreciated the Welsh terms that were used throughout.
Not every story worked for me, personally. However, the ones that I liked, I really liked. My favourites were:
Cragen - a little girl has an imaginary friend, but is she so imaginary? The smell of the sea and scattered shells appear throughout the family's home. Unsettling, sad, and atmospheric.
Mara - a couple purchase new house, the realtors refer to it as a "manor," but they eventually learn that it was actually a borstal (juvenile correctional facility.) This is a solid haunted house story.
The Ice House - I loved the detailed descriptions of the Victorian home, and how this reads a lot like classic Victorian ghost stories from that period. The atmosphere is thick, the chill in the air palpable.
Carreg Samson - the author gives voice to Carreg Samson, a cromlech (megalithic tomb.) The cromlechs and similar monuments the world over are bound to observe humanity and when humans go too far in their destruction of the natural world, a mysterious entity is summoned to balance the scales in bloody retribution. The descriptions of what "It" did to the villagers at the height of the Industrial Revolution, was chilling.
Not every story worked for me, personally. However, the ones that I liked, I really liked. My favourites were:
Cragen - a little girl has an imaginary friend, but is she so imaginary? The smell of the sea and scattered shells appear throughout the family's home. Unsettling, sad, and atmospheric.
Mara - a couple purchase new house, the realtors refer to it as a "manor," but they eventually learn that it was actually a borstal (juvenile correctional facility.) This is a solid haunted house story.
The Ice House - I loved the detailed descriptions of the Victorian home, and how this reads a lot like classic Victorian ghost stories from that period. The atmosphere is thick, the chill in the air palpable.
Carreg Samson - the author gives voice to Carreg Samson, a cromlech (megalithic tomb.) The cromlechs and similar monuments the world over are bound to observe humanity and when humans go too far in their destruction of the natural world, a mysterious entity is summoned to balance the scales in bloody retribution. The descriptions of what "It" did to the villagers at the height of the Industrial Revolution, was chilling.
October 15, 2021
I love short story collections, especially ones that are set in existing places. I love how those stories can use the places and their history as if they are a complete character too.
Mists and Megaliths by Catherine McCarthy not only does that but does so with such a poetic, easy flow that you will find yourself hooked in from start to finish. I read this in one sitting and then went back to reading it again, noticing things that I had missed the first time. That's the mark of a great short story writer.
Sometimes, you can find that some of the stories don't gel or that there are ones that are much better than others in the collection. That's not the case here at all. It's an incredibly strong collection and one that flows nicely. You have some darkly comedic moments, creepy moments and moments that will thrill and chill horror fans.
All in all, there was no chance this would get less than a five. It's absolutely superb.
Mists and Megaliths by Catherine McCarthy not only does that but does so with such a poetic, easy flow that you will find yourself hooked in from start to finish. I read this in one sitting and then went back to reading it again, noticing things that I had missed the first time. That's the mark of a great short story writer.
Sometimes, you can find that some of the stories don't gel or that there are ones that are much better than others in the collection. That's not the case here at all. It's an incredibly strong collection and one that flows nicely. You have some darkly comedic moments, creepy moments and moments that will thrill and chill horror fans.
All in all, there was no chance this would get less than a five. It's absolutely superb.
April 13, 2022
As a reader this collection of short stories feels like being told folktales by the fireside with a glass of brandy. Just my humble opinion but the writing unfolds like Grimm’s fairy tales. Specifically, The Ice House, Retribution, and Lure. I was quite taken with the setting of the stories, which is Wales, U.K where Catherine McCarthy resides.
Below are the ones that make it a 4.5/5 stars for me!
Cragen: classic “Imaginary friend” tale but with a malevolent sea spirit elevates this story. The couch/sofa scene was so good that I could smell the damp kelpy, briny smell of the sea.
Two’s Company, Three’s a Shroud: Graveyard humor. I didn’t expect this story and it knocked my socks off. It is quite hilarious! Curmudgeon in me clapped her hands.
Ysbryd y Môr: I can definitely see myself telling this to my nephews/nieces/children. It is a heartwarming story about the importance of accepting help and giving it.
Lure: Fishing + revenge is an epic horror combination. Like the author I am also a vegetarian and continue to be fascinated by “hunters”.
Below are the ones that make it a 4.5/5 stars for me!
Cragen: classic “Imaginary friend” tale but with a malevolent sea spirit elevates this story. The couch/sofa scene was so good that I could smell the damp kelpy, briny smell of the sea.
Two’s Company, Three’s a Shroud: Graveyard humor. I didn’t expect this story and it knocked my socks off. It is quite hilarious! Curmudgeon in me clapped her hands.
Ysbryd y Môr: I can definitely see myself telling this to my nephews/nieces/children. It is a heartwarming story about the importance of accepting help and giving it.
Lure: Fishing + revenge is an epic horror combination. Like the author I am also a vegetarian and continue to be fascinated by “hunters”.
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