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Slice and Dice
Four slasher novellas from some of the most terrifying minds in horror fiction.
In Jeff Menapace's "Second Chance," a high school wrestling prodigy’s future is cut short after a devastating injury on the mat. Desperate to win back his father’s approval, the boy hatches a plan involving his father’s love of slasher films. If the boy can become a real-life slasher right out of the movies, it just might be an opportunity to make his father proud again, no matter what the cost.
In Iain Rob Wright’s “The Reckoning,” the year is 2035 and people live inside their individual worlds. Amelie’s ‘pod’ is a marvel of tech-centric existence, taking care of her every need. But when a serial killer that the press have named ’The Reckoning’ comes calling for Amelie, her futuristic living space turns deadly.
In William Malmborg's "Billy's Blade," a budding serial killer bites off more than he can chew when he tries to stab Stacy Collins to death on the Prairie Path. A ruthless investigative journalist, Stacy goes on the offensive, goading the killer with unflattering articles, all in hopes of sparking a second encounter. Will Billy and Stacy meet again?
Jeff Strand’s “Twentieth Anniversary Screening” recounts the grisly events surrounding the terrible slasher flick THE ROOFER, remembered only because an obsessed fan tried to reenact the murders as they played out on the screen. When the same theater shows the film twenty years later, will the warnings that this is a really, really bad idea be justified?
In Jeff Menapace's "Second Chance," a high school wrestling prodigy’s future is cut short after a devastating injury on the mat. Desperate to win back his father’s approval, the boy hatches a plan involving his father’s love of slasher films. If the boy can become a real-life slasher right out of the movies, it just might be an opportunity to make his father proud again, no matter what the cost.
In Iain Rob Wright’s “The Reckoning,” the year is 2035 and people live inside their individual worlds. Amelie’s ‘pod’ is a marvel of tech-centric existence, taking care of her every need. But when a serial killer that the press have named ’The Reckoning’ comes calling for Amelie, her futuristic living space turns deadly.
In William Malmborg's "Billy's Blade," a budding serial killer bites off more than he can chew when he tries to stab Stacy Collins to death on the Prairie Path. A ruthless investigative journalist, Stacy goes on the offensive, goading the killer with unflattering articles, all in hopes of sparking a second encounter. Will Billy and Stacy meet again?
Jeff Strand’s “Twentieth Anniversary Screening” recounts the grisly events surrounding the terrible slasher flick THE ROOFER, remembered only because an obsessed fan tried to reenact the murders as they played out on the screen. When the same theater shows the film twenty years later, will the warnings that this is a really, really bad idea be justified?
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
276 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2021
109 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Strand
83 books2,188 followersBram Stoker Award-winning author of a bunch of demented books, including PRESSURE, DWELLER, CLOWNS VS. SPIDERS, AUTUMN BLEEDS INTO WINTER, MY PRETTIES, the official novelization of ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES, and lots of others!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 9, 2021
Four very solid slasher novellas.
The best (and sickest) one of the lot turned out to be by Jeff Menapace.
Really worth the read for slasher fans.
The best (and sickest) one of the lot turned out to be by Jeff Menapace.
Really worth the read for slasher fans.
June 1, 2021
Yea, yea...I know.
For those of you who have been reading my reviews for any length of time at all, it's no secret that I'm a huge Jeff Strand fan. But did you know I've also been a fan of Jeff Menapace and Iain Rob Wright for years? I absolutely have. And after reading my first William Malmborg story (in this very collection), I definitely plan to check out more of his work. His storytelling ability is on point.
I love slasher stories (of course I do - I grew up watching Jason, Michael, and Freddy), so when I heard about Slice and Dice, a slasher collection written by some of my favorite authors in the genre, I was more than a little stoked.
And guys, it didn't disappoint.
Second Chance by Jeff Menapace - This is probably the most traditional of the four stories in this collection. It's an engrossing first-person perspective of a son, so desperate for a very twisted version of his father's love, he'll go to lengths that most wouldn't contemplate. Jeff writes page turners, and this story is no exception.
The Reckoning by Iain Rob Wright - In direct contrast to Second Chance, Iain's contribution to the collection is completely nontraditional. The Reckoning is a futuristic, almost moralistic, story with a very unexpected serial killer...and some really creepy technology. This was beautifully written, and I genuinely enjoyed the premise (which was a little too plausible for comfort).
Billy's Blade by William Malmborg - Like I mentioned above, this was the first time I've had the pleasure of reading Malmborg's work, and I'll just come out and say it...I'm a fan. This story is twisted, depraved, and totally f**ked up...and I kind of loved it. This one isn't for the faint of heart. (I've had Jimmy on my Kindle for a long time...but with the never-ending ARCs I get, I've never made the time to actually read it. That's changing. And soon.)
Twentieth Anniversary Screening by Jeff Strand - I actually read this particular story weeks ago, and I absolutely loved it. Twentieth Anniversary Screening, alone, is worth the cost of the ebook. It's creepy, twisted, crazy clever, and parts are so funny (one scene in particular...you'll know it when you read it, I promise), I had laugh-tears running down my cheeks. I guess maybe you'd call this story a mock-essay? Eh, call it whatever you want. It doesn't matter. You're gonna love it. This story was, hands down, my favorite of the bunch.
Each of the four novellas offers something different to the slasher sub-genre and I, personally, can't recommend this collection enough.
Available TODAY - June 1, 2021.
Paperback copies will be available soon.
Many thanks to the authors of SLICE AND DICE for my review copy.
For those of you who have been reading my reviews for any length of time at all, it's no secret that I'm a huge Jeff Strand fan. But did you know I've also been a fan of Jeff Menapace and Iain Rob Wright for years? I absolutely have. And after reading my first William Malmborg story (in this very collection), I definitely plan to check out more of his work. His storytelling ability is on point.
I love slasher stories (of course I do - I grew up watching Jason, Michael, and Freddy), so when I heard about Slice and Dice, a slasher collection written by some of my favorite authors in the genre, I was more than a little stoked.
And guys, it didn't disappoint.
Second Chance by Jeff Menapace - This is probably the most traditional of the four stories in this collection. It's an engrossing first-person perspective of a son, so desperate for a very twisted version of his father's love, he'll go to lengths that most wouldn't contemplate. Jeff writes page turners, and this story is no exception.
The Reckoning by Iain Rob Wright - In direct contrast to Second Chance, Iain's contribution to the collection is completely nontraditional. The Reckoning is a futuristic, almost moralistic, story with a very unexpected serial killer...and some really creepy technology. This was beautifully written, and I genuinely enjoyed the premise (which was a little too plausible for comfort).
Billy's Blade by William Malmborg - Like I mentioned above, this was the first time I've had the pleasure of reading Malmborg's work, and I'll just come out and say it...I'm a fan. This story is twisted, depraved, and totally f**ked up...and I kind of loved it. This one isn't for the faint of heart. (I've had Jimmy on my Kindle for a long time...but with the never-ending ARCs I get, I've never made the time to actually read it. That's changing. And soon.)
Twentieth Anniversary Screening by Jeff Strand - I actually read this particular story weeks ago, and I absolutely loved it. Twentieth Anniversary Screening, alone, is worth the cost of the ebook. It's creepy, twisted, crazy clever, and parts are so funny (one scene in particular...you'll know it when you read it, I promise), I had laugh-tears running down my cheeks. I guess maybe you'd call this story a mock-essay? Eh, call it whatever you want. It doesn't matter. You're gonna love it. This story was, hands down, my favorite of the bunch.
Each of the four novellas offers something different to the slasher sub-genre and I, personally, can't recommend this collection enough.
Available TODAY - June 1, 2021.
Paperback copies will be available soon.
Many thanks to the authors of SLICE AND DICE for my review copy.
July 4, 2021
Slice and Dice collects four novellas from four big names in independent horror publishing, all focused on the Slasher genre. With an eclectic mix of stories on offer within that wheelhouse, there is a novella here to suit every taste.
Second Chance by Jeff Menapace
This was a strong opening story and is probably the most downbeat of the four. A teenage boy is fighting to gain respect from his abusive father when they find a common interest in slasher movies. The movies prove to be less effective at forming that bond than the real thing, as the pair begin plotting to turn the young man into the ultimate real-life slasher.
While the body count is impressive and the set-ups are very nostalgic for 80s slasher movie fans, the core relationship between father and son is the meat of this story. The father is pure evil and you genuinely feel for his son, who comes across as manipulated and easily led, even sympathetic, despite the fact he is the slasher in the story. This one is a tough act to follow. 5 Stars
The Reckoning by Iain Rob Wright
Iain Rob Wright sets his story fifteen years in the future, where things are familiar yet subtly different. Technology plays a pivotal role as, in 2035, it basically runs peoples lives and the author takes a look at what could happen if that technology turned against them.
The Reckoning reads very much like an episode of ‘Black Mirror’, using technology that at first seems to offer positive changes to peoples lives before the sinister implications of the characters' reliance on them becomes more apparent as the story goes on. The setting is unique and effective and this one is a nice change of pace from the typical slasher fare. 4 Stars
Billy’s Blade by William Malmborg
William Malmborg’s story is simultaneously the most ‘traditional’, in terms of the slasher story, introducing two intertwining tales of a local reporter who is attacked by a masked assailant and is perhaps the most graphic story in Slice and Dice. There is a fun role reversal early on, whereby the reporter turns the tables on the wannabe killer, and the story turns into a game of cat and mouse between the two from then on.
Billy’s Blade was perhaps the least original of the four stories, but it does tell a familiar story exceptionally well. Billy was an interesting character to follow, deeply disturbed and unpredictable, whereas Stacy is a kick-ass final girl who is angry as opposed to scared by the killers’ attentions. A solid, entertaining story. 4 Stars
Twentieth Anniversary Screening by Jeff Strand
Jeff Strand’s offering was, by far, my favourite of the collection. This is the most overtly comedic story in the book, but is more serious in tone than a lot of Strand's work, favouring light touches of black comedy over more overt jokes. The story of an ill-fated screening of an infamous slasher film, told in the form of an online article is a unique take, and it works incredibly well. So well in fact, that I would love to actually watch the fictional film (‘The Roofer’) Strand made up for this story. 5 Stars
Slice and Dice is a consistently excellent collection that offers a wide variety of approaches to a singular sub-genre. Each story stands out compared to the others and every one is an entertaining read in its own right. Highly recommended.
Second Chance by Jeff Menapace
This was a strong opening story and is probably the most downbeat of the four. A teenage boy is fighting to gain respect from his abusive father when they find a common interest in slasher movies. The movies prove to be less effective at forming that bond than the real thing, as the pair begin plotting to turn the young man into the ultimate real-life slasher.
While the body count is impressive and the set-ups are very nostalgic for 80s slasher movie fans, the core relationship between father and son is the meat of this story. The father is pure evil and you genuinely feel for his son, who comes across as manipulated and easily led, even sympathetic, despite the fact he is the slasher in the story. This one is a tough act to follow. 5 Stars
The Reckoning by Iain Rob Wright
Iain Rob Wright sets his story fifteen years in the future, where things are familiar yet subtly different. Technology plays a pivotal role as, in 2035, it basically runs peoples lives and the author takes a look at what could happen if that technology turned against them.
The Reckoning reads very much like an episode of ‘Black Mirror’, using technology that at first seems to offer positive changes to peoples lives before the sinister implications of the characters' reliance on them becomes more apparent as the story goes on. The setting is unique and effective and this one is a nice change of pace from the typical slasher fare. 4 Stars
Billy’s Blade by William Malmborg
William Malmborg’s story is simultaneously the most ‘traditional’, in terms of the slasher story, introducing two intertwining tales of a local reporter who is attacked by a masked assailant and is perhaps the most graphic story in Slice and Dice. There is a fun role reversal early on, whereby the reporter turns the tables on the wannabe killer, and the story turns into a game of cat and mouse between the two from then on.
Billy’s Blade was perhaps the least original of the four stories, but it does tell a familiar story exceptionally well. Billy was an interesting character to follow, deeply disturbed and unpredictable, whereas Stacy is a kick-ass final girl who is angry as opposed to scared by the killers’ attentions. A solid, entertaining story. 4 Stars
Twentieth Anniversary Screening by Jeff Strand
Jeff Strand’s offering was, by far, my favourite of the collection. This is the most overtly comedic story in the book, but is more serious in tone than a lot of Strand's work, favouring light touches of black comedy over more overt jokes. The story of an ill-fated screening of an infamous slasher film, told in the form of an online article is a unique take, and it works incredibly well. So well in fact, that I would love to actually watch the fictional film (‘The Roofer’) Strand made up for this story. 5 Stars
Slice and Dice is a consistently excellent collection that offers a wide variety of approaches to a singular sub-genre. Each story stands out compared to the others and every one is an entertaining read in its own right. Highly recommended.
April 18, 2024
All four novellas were very good. Not to be missed for slasher fans.
July 2, 2021
I was already a big fan of Jeff Strand and William Malmborg, but this collection is my first exposure to Jeff Menapace and Iain Rob Wright. All four novellas are excellent. Second Chance by Jeff Menapace is a twisted but heartwrenching story of a son trying to gain the love and approval of his abusive father. The Reckoning by Iain Rob Wright is a science fiction horror story, set in the not-too-distant future, where technology is omnipresent and the lines between good and evil are muddled. Billy's Blade by William Malmborg is a page-turner, and as with much of Malmborg's writing, it's full of characters we come to care about, even as we despise what they are doing. Twentieth Anniversary Screening is Jeff Strand being meta, with a story in the form of an article by a film critic about a film screening gone horribly wrong. Also a page-turner, filled with Strand's trademark humor and dark wit. This collection is highly recommended for fans of slasher movies and horror literature. Any one of these novellas alone would be worth the cover price. Very cool cover design by Lynne Hansen.
June 19, 2021
This was a special edition just for me, right?
I had to buy this immediately! It was like a dream come true . All my favorite authors all in one book… they must have made this just for me, right?
This was a fun read, but let’s break it down by author:
Jeff Menapace: This was my favorite story of the 4. Son becomes a bumbling serial killer to gain the love of a messed-up father. Great little story à la Menapace. Lots of dark humour and you will breeze right through it. Not crazy about the ending, but I think Jeff was being facetious.
Iain Rob Wright: Interesting ideas from Iain and he is always unique. This was a mix of what a terrorist would like in the future and a debate about whether progress is beneficial or not. Who is evil ? The people who are taking away human rights or the people who do evil deeds to call attention to the first group. Wright made sure the irony was clear: no one wins. A moral tale with a few layers of depth.
William Malmborg: This is the one author I have never read before although I do have some of his books on my reading list. Pretty neat story used to introduce you to his author, except for one thing. It didn’t really seem like a story that was written uniquely for this book. Unless the marketing technique was to get you to be curious about the ending, this seemed like a transplant. Not a bad story. Reads somewhat like a Richard Laymon tale. However, the ending of the story is anti-climatic unless you have read Jimmy by the same author. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but WHAT????
Jeff Strand: Jeff is up to his usual tricks. Very interesting idea to use an article to relate the story of a movie and the real life events that transpired. The catch here is that it kinda starts off a little tedious, but by the time we hit the third series of true life events, the reader is completely invested in the story. Jeff’s motto always seems to be : GO BIG, OR GO HOME. This author is always worth reading and is the master of the dark humour horror.
I had to buy this immediately! It was like a dream come true . All my favorite authors all in one book… they must have made this just for me, right?
This was a fun read, but let’s break it down by author:
Jeff Menapace: This was my favorite story of the 4. Son becomes a bumbling serial killer to gain the love of a messed-up father. Great little story à la Menapace. Lots of dark humour and you will breeze right through it. Not crazy about the ending, but I think Jeff was being facetious.
Iain Rob Wright: Interesting ideas from Iain and he is always unique. This was a mix of what a terrorist would like in the future and a debate about whether progress is beneficial or not. Who is evil ? The people who are taking away human rights or the people who do evil deeds to call attention to the first group. Wright made sure the irony was clear: no one wins. A moral tale with a few layers of depth.
William Malmborg: This is the one author I have never read before although I do have some of his books on my reading list. Pretty neat story used to introduce you to his author, except for one thing. It didn’t really seem like a story that was written uniquely for this book. Unless the marketing technique was to get you to be curious about the ending, this seemed like a transplant. Not a bad story. Reads somewhat like a Richard Laymon tale. However, the ending of the story is anti-climatic unless you have read Jimmy by the same author. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but WHAT????
Jeff Strand: Jeff is up to his usual tricks. Very interesting idea to use an article to relate the story of a movie and the real life events that transpired. The catch here is that it kinda starts off a little tedious, but by the time we hit the third series of true life events, the reader is completely invested in the story. Jeff’s motto always seems to be : GO BIG, OR GO HOME. This author is always worth reading and is the master of the dark humour horror.
September 24, 2021
This book's title caught my attention--perfect for a Halloween read--and then I saw two authors I like included, so I got myself a copy.
Menapace's story was lack luster. It had the potential to be great but not only did it need an editor--mistakes galore that pulled right out of the story--but the characters were flat, one-dimensional, and utterly predictable. As was the ending which also did not fit the point of view. The story skipped over all parts horror and overly repeated the overdone, cliche relationship between son and father.
Wright's story had a strong 'Black Mirror' vibe, delving into the tech of the future. Several twists arose through the fast-paced action, making it a worthy thrill rode with a satisfying end.
Malmborg's novella was gruesome, gory, unfiltered, and unhinged. A slasher that circled a gripping mystery of identities while bodies dropped dead all around. The tale is the very definition of the anthology's title.
Strand's short was by far the most entertaining and immersive of them all. I LOVED it. If nothing else, get this book JUST to read this story--you won't regret it.
Menapace's story was lack luster. It had the potential to be great but not only did it need an editor--mistakes galore that pulled right out of the story--but the characters were flat, one-dimensional, and utterly predictable. As was the ending which also did not fit the point of view. The story skipped over all parts horror and overly repeated the overdone, cliche relationship between son and father.
Wright's story had a strong 'Black Mirror' vibe, delving into the tech of the future. Several twists arose through the fast-paced action, making it a worthy thrill rode with a satisfying end.
Malmborg's novella was gruesome, gory, unfiltered, and unhinged. A slasher that circled a gripping mystery of identities while bodies dropped dead all around. The tale is the very definition of the anthology's title.
Strand's short was by far the most entertaining and immersive of them all. I LOVED it. If nothing else, get this book JUST to read this story--you won't regret it.
July 12, 2021
Such a great take on slashers! I really enjoyed it and would recommend you give it a go! 😁
July 11, 2021
Added a couple of new authors to my list.
June 11, 2021
If you enjoy discovering new-to-you authors, Slice and Dice includes four horror novellas perfect for a weekend read! Each novella follows the 80s “slasher movie” theme, and the authors did a great job providing a variety of stories filled with bloody slasher moments. The stories include a teen that becomes a serial killer to please his father who loves slasher movies, a cyber hacking killer on a mission to dish out his own karma in the year 2035, a teen with escalating desires to kill the one that got away while she taunts and provokes him, and a fake non-fiction article describing a massacre that occurs at the same theater twenty years later.
The authors include Jeff Menapace, Iain Rob Wright, William Malmborg, and Jeff Strand. All four are seasoned writers in the genre and if you haven’t read anything by them, I recommend checking out their other works after grabbing Slice and Dice. Slice and Dice is available on Amazon in paperback, e-book, and free with a KindleUnlimited subscription.
The authors include Jeff Menapace, Iain Rob Wright, William Malmborg, and Jeff Strand. All four are seasoned writers in the genre and if you haven’t read anything by them, I recommend checking out their other works after grabbing Slice and Dice. Slice and Dice is available on Amazon in paperback, e-book, and free with a KindleUnlimited subscription.
June 9, 2021
A Good Read!
I really enjoyed the first three stories in this book. I could not get into the fourth one so I did not finish it. I love slasher movies so reading this book was a no-brainer. Very enjoyable.
I really enjoyed the first three stories in this book. I could not get into the fourth one so I did not finish it. I love slasher movies so reading this book was a no-brainer. Very enjoyable.
August 11, 2021
Great collection of slasher-inspired novellas that allows you to sample some new authors in an easily digestible manner... Maybe digestible isn't the right word when it comes to serial killing though.
July 1, 2021
Great horror shorts - a little graphic for those who don’t like gore though- per usual Jeff Strand kills it!
Currently reading
July 20, 2021Fantastic book
June 16, 2021
Awesome stories
Each story has its own place. Which is good. They're scary and keeps .you turning the pages til the end
Each story has its own place. Which is good. They're scary and keeps .you turning the pages til the end
July 7, 2022
Four Slasher tales by four different authors, all with their own take on the genre.
Second Chance by Jeff Menapace
After suffering a knee injury that ends a wrestling career we see one boy try and gain his abusive fathers love. The only thing his father seems to enjoy is Slasher movies so I’m order to gain his affection he takes it upon himself to try and become a Slasher worthy killer.
This story was quite sad and shocking in places, I enjoyed the various Slasher references throughout.
The Reckoning by Iain Rob Wright
Set in 2035, an era now solely reliant on technology. What would happen when machine fails man?
This story isn’t your stereotypical Slasher and stood out against the other stories in this collection. It was a great take on what future society could be like and how the need for technological advancement may not always be the answer.
Billy’s Blade by William Malmborg
A killers desire for true sexual gratification, a journalists need to toy with the killer and a bunch of unfortunate victims.
This story felt like a true slasher and had a few unexpected twists!
Twentieth Anniversary Screening by Jeff Strand
A satirical entry poking fun at slashers whilst presenting itself as articles/interviews discussing a terrible film called The Roofer which as you may have guessed is celebrating its Twentieth anniversary.
A fun quick read!
Overall I really enjoyed the collection and liked the different takes each one presented.
Second Chance by Jeff Menapace
After suffering a knee injury that ends a wrestling career we see one boy try and gain his abusive fathers love. The only thing his father seems to enjoy is Slasher movies so I’m order to gain his affection he takes it upon himself to try and become a Slasher worthy killer.
This story was quite sad and shocking in places, I enjoyed the various Slasher references throughout.
The Reckoning by Iain Rob Wright
Set in 2035, an era now solely reliant on technology. What would happen when machine fails man?
This story isn’t your stereotypical Slasher and stood out against the other stories in this collection. It was a great take on what future society could be like and how the need for technological advancement may not always be the answer.
Billy’s Blade by William Malmborg
A killers desire for true sexual gratification, a journalists need to toy with the killer and a bunch of unfortunate victims.
This story felt like a true slasher and had a few unexpected twists!
Twentieth Anniversary Screening by Jeff Strand
A satirical entry poking fun at slashers whilst presenting itself as articles/interviews discussing a terrible film called The Roofer which as you may have guessed is celebrating its Twentieth anniversary.
A fun quick read!
Overall I really enjoyed the collection and liked the different takes each one presented.
November 6, 2022
This was way, way better than expected. An easy 5 stars. I was gonna buy Jeff Strands story on it's own after it won the Bram Stoker but figured two bucks extra for three more stories was worth it. It was.
Twentieth Anniversary Screening had me laugh out loud a few times. I was reading passages to my disinterested wife and got her laughing even with minimal context. This story was just plain fun. 5 stars
Second Chance was second best for me. The dynamic between father and son was interesting to me, and I liked the ending. 5 stars
Billy's Blade was a quick read despite being the longest story in the collection having a ton of short chapters. This one was probably the creepiest of the four because of the weird sexual motives behind the killings. I was reading this one in public and had to really crouch over the screen so nobody would read over my shoulder and call security on me. I didn't get the ending until looking up the author and now I guess I have another book to read to get some context. 5 stars
The Reckoning gets 4 stars from me. The near future technology was interesting and I really like the philosophical motives of the killer in this one. An enjoyable story that gets a little lost next to the other three heavy hitters.
Twentieth Anniversary Screening had me laugh out loud a few times. I was reading passages to my disinterested wife and got her laughing even with minimal context. This story was just plain fun. 5 stars
Second Chance was second best for me. The dynamic between father and son was interesting to me, and I liked the ending. 5 stars
Billy's Blade was a quick read despite being the longest story in the collection having a ton of short chapters. This one was probably the creepiest of the four because of the weird sexual motives behind the killings. I was reading this one in public and had to really crouch over the screen so nobody would read over my shoulder and call security on me. I didn't get the ending until looking up the author and now I guess I have another book to read to get some context. 5 stars
The Reckoning gets 4 stars from me. The near future technology was interesting and I really like the philosophical motives of the killer in this one. An enjoyable story that gets a little lost next to the other three heavy hitters.
November 19, 2021
I purchased a copy of this book because someone recommended Jeff Menapace to me. I hadn't experienced his work before. But now, having given this book a read, I can say that he is a skilled storyteller and solid writer. His story is psychologically unsettling, emotionally brutal, and completely sadistic. These were my first Iain Rob Wright or William Malmborg reads, too, and I found them both to be talented authors. I will almost certainly check out more of their work in the future. This is my fourth Jeff Strand read so far, and it seems that he is incapable of writing a bad story. His imagination and delivery insert their hooks into you and pull you through the story, page by page. Let me say that the slasher end of the genre is not one that I frequent, but I am glad I took a chance on this book. Definitely a recommended read.
March 27, 2022
Decent mini anthology of slasher novellas. I particularly enjoyed The Reckoning, about a killer who uses technology to his advantage. Also Twentieth Anniversary Screening about a slasher movie that is having a screening for it's 20th anniversary. The first story was actually too violent for my liking, and I didn't like the characters or message about a killer trying to impress his abusive father. And Billy's Blade was actually pretty good, but there were a few parts in it that I found questionable, like the age of some of the victims and the reason the killer is killing.
Jeff Menapace: Second Chance ⭐⭐
Iain Rob Wright: The Reckoning ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
William Malmborg: Billy's Blade ⭐⭐⭐
Jeff Strand: Twentieth Anniversary Screening ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jeff Menapace: Second Chance ⭐⭐
Iain Rob Wright: The Reckoning ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
William Malmborg: Billy's Blade ⭐⭐⭐
Jeff Strand: Twentieth Anniversary Screening ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 8, 2021
I really enjoyed a couple of the stories, but the others not at all
December 24, 2021
Four slasher tales by four standout authors. Immense fun and a great introduction if you've not read anything by these horror giants.
June 19, 2021
Not a complete waste of time
The reason I bought this four-story/four-author book was because there was a Jeff Strand story. I wouldn’t say that I’m a huge horror fan. But I do like Jeff Strand because of the humor he typically injects into his stories.
What did I think of the book?
Story one: SECOND CHANCE. Hated it. No redeeming value whatsoever. Even less entertainment value.
Story two: THE RECKONING. Boring. DNF
Story three: BILLY’S Blade.
The most interesting and best written of the first three, despite the several long run-on sentences. Subtle humor. Good dialog.
Story four: TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING.
Imaginative and on par with the bulk of Strand’s works which I’ve enjoyed, the one exception being SICK HOUSE.
So, my rating of this book is an average of the four stories. Two and a half stars, rounded up to three stars!
The reason I bought this four-story/four-author book was because there was a Jeff Strand story. I wouldn’t say that I’m a huge horror fan. But I do like Jeff Strand because of the humor he typically injects into his stories.
What did I think of the book?
Story one: SECOND CHANCE. Hated it. No redeeming value whatsoever. Even less entertainment value.
Story two: THE RECKONING. Boring. DNF
Story three: BILLY’S Blade.
The most interesting and best written of the first three, despite the several long run-on sentences. Subtle humor. Good dialog.
Story four: TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING.
Imaginative and on par with the bulk of Strand’s works which I’ve enjoyed, the one exception being SICK HOUSE.
So, my rating of this book is an average of the four stories. Two and a half stars, rounded up to three stars!
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