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Welcome to the Funhouse
Welcome to the Funhouse is the fourth anthology from Blood Rites Horror and the first edited by Kelly Brocklehurst and Jamie Stewart. With twelve grisly stories of coming-of-age terror, carnival cruelty and fairground frights, this collection brings together the best and most exciting talents in the horror community. Roll up! with the following stories:
"Mirrors" by Robin Grieve
"Candy Apple Smiles" by Christopher Robertson
"The Cyclone Sisters' Travelling Circus" by Angela Sylvaine
"Anna and Abby" by L. Pine
"The Prop" by Nikki R. Leigh
"The Viperess of Las Cruces" by C.W. Blackwell
"The Golden Tickets" by Roxie Voorhees
"Dance With Us" by Kelly Brocklehurst
"No Strings" by Jamie Stewart
"Family Outing" by Briana Morgan
"Mirrored" by Dave Musson
"Smile at All the Good Times We Had" by Spencer Hamilton
With a foreword from the editors.
"Mirrors" by Robin Grieve
"Candy Apple Smiles" by Christopher Robertson
"The Cyclone Sisters' Travelling Circus" by Angela Sylvaine
"Anna and Abby" by L. Pine
"The Prop" by Nikki R. Leigh
"The Viperess of Las Cruces" by C.W. Blackwell
"The Golden Tickets" by Roxie Voorhees
"Dance With Us" by Kelly Brocklehurst
"No Strings" by Jamie Stewart
"Family Outing" by Briana Morgan
"Mirrored" by Dave Musson
"Smile at All the Good Times We Had" by Spencer Hamilton
With a foreword from the editors.
283 pages, Paperback
First published June 29, 2021
46 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 1, 2021
I’m always very apprehensive starting short story collections because they can be so very hit or miss but in this one all the stories delivered! Obviously as always there are ones you prefer over others but there was not one in there that I did not enjoy! Clowns terrify me and I’m not a huge fan of carnivals or funfairs so this was a horror collection that from the get go was about things I’m a bit scared of!
My 4* rating is a combination of the ratings for all the stories which I’ve given below! (And to reiterate, I enjoyed them all!)
Mirrors - Robin Grieve 3*
Candy Apple Smiles - Christopher Robertson 5*
The Cyclone Sisters’ Travelling Circus - Angela Sylvaine 4*
Anna and Abby - L. Pine 5*
The Prop - Nikki R. Leigh 3*
The Viperess of Las Cruces - C.W. Blackwell 4*
The Golden Tickets - Roxie Voorhees 4*
Dance With Us - Kelly Brocklehurst 5*
No Strings - Jamie Stewart 4*
Family Outing - Brianna Morgan 3*
Mirrored - Dave Musson 4*
Smile at all the Good Times We Had - Spencer Hamilton 4*
Would definitely recommend this one! It was easy to read and enjoyable the whole way through!
My 4* rating is a combination of the ratings for all the stories which I’ve given below! (And to reiterate, I enjoyed them all!)
Mirrors - Robin Grieve 3*
Candy Apple Smiles - Christopher Robertson 5*
The Cyclone Sisters’ Travelling Circus - Angela Sylvaine 4*
Anna and Abby - L. Pine 5*
The Prop - Nikki R. Leigh 3*
The Viperess of Las Cruces - C.W. Blackwell 4*
The Golden Tickets - Roxie Voorhees 4*
Dance With Us - Kelly Brocklehurst 5*
No Strings - Jamie Stewart 4*
Family Outing - Brianna Morgan 3*
Mirrored - Dave Musson 4*
Smile at all the Good Times We Had - Spencer Hamilton 4*
Would definitely recommend this one! It was easy to read and enjoyable the whole way through!
November 11, 2021
Carnivals, along with circuses and insane asylums, are just about as perfect of a setting for a scary story as it gets. Which was the main attractor for me when I found this anthology among the random kindle freebies. It didn’t feature a single author whose name I recognized, but hey…carnivals. And sure enough, name recognition or not, this turned out to be a thoroughly excellent read. Took a minute to get going, but then bam, one winner after another.
All the rides, all the attractions, all the frights to delight, thrill and terrify…this collection approaches its theme from every angle and does its epic setting justice time and again. It isn’t just for the kids either, though many protagonists of these stories are, audience-wise this is more like something for your inner child, provided it’s a precocious morbid one.
Can’t think of the last time I read a book featuring exclusively unknown (to me) names on the roster and was more impressed. Well done, authors, and well done, editors, for putting together this collection.
Just think how disappointing it would have been to be invited to go to a funhouse and end up having no fun? Definitely not the case here. Fun will be had. A great anthology that does its inherently creepy carnival theme proud. Recommended for all genre fans.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
All the rides, all the attractions, all the frights to delight, thrill and terrify…this collection approaches its theme from every angle and does its epic setting justice time and again. It isn’t just for the kids either, though many protagonists of these stories are, audience-wise this is more like something for your inner child, provided it’s a precocious morbid one.
Can’t think of the last time I read a book featuring exclusively unknown (to me) names on the roster and was more impressed. Well done, authors, and well done, editors, for putting together this collection.
Just think how disappointing it would have been to be invited to go to a funhouse and end up having no fun? Definitely not the case here. Fun will be had. A great anthology that does its inherently creepy carnival theme proud. Recommended for all genre fans.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
August 4, 2022
This collection of short stories is absolutely PHENOMENAL! I picked it up for cover reasons alone and I’m so glad I did so that I could discover these stories. Out of the whole collection there wasn’t one story that I didn’t absolutely love, they all knocked it out of the park! I really loved that there were a lot of diversity in this collection, quite often they tend to be white, straight male centric and while I have nothing against these kinds of writers, it’s nice to see some diverse representation. I discovered SO many new authors who’s work I want to look into as well and that’s always exciting! I absolutely refuse to pick a favourite because I’m obsessed with carnival/circus horror and all these stories were just so damn good. This collection really has it all when it comes to carnival horror stories, from gruesome and gory to just downright bone chilling. Horror fans, you don’t want to miss out on this collection!
July 5, 2021
I really love the publisher! I’ve gotten each book from them so far and haven’t been let down yet! Amazing works in this book, with very diverse backgrounds and intriguing plots. Well worth the read!
July 17, 2021
When I heard that Bloodrites Horror was putting out an anthology for carnival/amusement park horror, I knew it was going to be epic. There are so many things at carnivals or amusement parks that invoke fear, so it's only natural for it to serve as inspiration for writers.
The stories in this book are incredibly original and equally terrifying. I loved all the different approaches every author took with their story, and I was impressed by the variety of scares they all delivered.
After reading this, I'm not sure that I'll look at carnivals or fun parks quite the same ever again.
The stories in this book are incredibly original and equally terrifying. I loved all the different approaches every author took with their story, and I was impressed by the variety of scares they all delivered.
After reading this, I'm not sure that I'll look at carnivals or fun parks quite the same ever again.
September 1, 2021
I read this as part of a community read-along hosted by the editors. It's been a few weeks since this concluded, but I got distracted by my superhero obsession and forgot to write up a review.
I wish I'd done so when it was fresher in my mind, but suffice to say I loved these stories. There's something about the carnival/amusement park setting/theme that just works in horror. Maybe it's the juxtaposition of a place of joy becoming a fearful experience.
This is something all the authors really utilised to its maximum. From heartbreaking freakshow stories to abandoned parks (Smileyland is a favourite), every story brought something different to the show. There was great diversity not just in the range of stories, but also in the characters included.
I wish I could be more in-depth, but I've left it too long to write this review. In short, though, I fully believe you should grab this book and give it a read.
I wish I'd done so when it was fresher in my mind, but suffice to say I loved these stories. There's something about the carnival/amusement park setting/theme that just works in horror. Maybe it's the juxtaposition of a place of joy becoming a fearful experience.
This is something all the authors really utilised to its maximum. From heartbreaking freakshow stories to abandoned parks (Smileyland is a favourite), every story brought something different to the show. There was great diversity not just in the range of stories, but also in the characters included.
I wish I could be more in-depth, but I've left it too long to write this review. In short, though, I fully believe you should grab this book and give it a read.
Read
June 12, 2022Contains my queer coming-of-age horror story "The Golden Tickets"
AKA The Bearded Lady and Wolf Boy's origin story
AKA The Bearded Lady and Wolf Boy's origin story
August 14, 2021
Step right up, step right in, prepare to be amazed, prepare to win! Toys! Candy! Rides! Ghosts! …Monstrous boars? Wait, boars? Um, murder? What the hell kind of funhouse is this? I’ll tell you what, it’s the Funhouse brought to you by the fine folks at Blood Rites Publishing. They’ve compiled a tome of terror, stories from around the globe with one thing in common: Carnivals. Oh, and sheer and blissful terror.
This collection of short stories has a very well-rounded blend of attractions, from county fairs, to waterslide parks, to circus-top carnivals, all with a flip-side to the festivities.
There’s a whole slew of incredible carnies- I mean authors included here.
Folks like Angela Sylvaine, who brings us The Cyclone Sisters’ Travelling Circus, where two young brother are brought with their parents to circus where everyone has one common, and surprisingly difficult to achieve, goal: to stay alive.
Roxie Voorhees, who shows us The Golden Ticket, where a young bearded child and her transsexual boyfriend seek refuge amongst the freaks and werewolves of a traveling carnival.
Candy-Apple Smiles by Christopher Robertson, in which a boy is chased by a boar, a wolf, and a stag, until he seeks solace in a circus. Unfortunately, solace isn’t in the cards at this particular circus. Who knew?!
There’s also Mirrors, a poem by Robin Grieve, and Mirrored, a story by Dave Musson, two pieces that can really make one reflect.
Or Smile at All the Good Times We Had by Spencer Hamilton, where a couple of non-carnival enthusiasts stumble upon just that, a carnival, abandoned and forgotten in the deep forests of upstate New York. Well, forgotten by all but one man, and he has a horrifying notion to make sure everyone who steps foot in the carnival keeps smiling, even if it requires a hefty amount of bloodshed.
This collection was brought to you by Kelly Brocklehurst, who wrote Dance With Us, a story about a girl and her friends who sneak into an abandoned amusement park, where they find little-to-no amusement (Eek!), and Jamie Stewart, the puppeteer of No Strings, a tale of two dolls, separated at the county fair, and willing to shed blood to reunite (two of my favorite stories therein).
Welcome to the Funhouse is a non-stop thrill ride that I loved from beginning to end. I recommend highly. Just be sure to keep your head and arms inside the couch or chair at all times while reading, cause they just might get lopped off.
This collection of short stories has a very well-rounded blend of attractions, from county fairs, to waterslide parks, to circus-top carnivals, all with a flip-side to the festivities.
There’s a whole slew of incredible carnies- I mean authors included here.
Folks like Angela Sylvaine, who brings us The Cyclone Sisters’ Travelling Circus, where two young brother are brought with their parents to circus where everyone has one common, and surprisingly difficult to achieve, goal: to stay alive.
Roxie Voorhees, who shows us The Golden Ticket, where a young bearded child and her transsexual boyfriend seek refuge amongst the freaks and werewolves of a traveling carnival.
Candy-Apple Smiles by Christopher Robertson, in which a boy is chased by a boar, a wolf, and a stag, until he seeks solace in a circus. Unfortunately, solace isn’t in the cards at this particular circus. Who knew?!
There’s also Mirrors, a poem by Robin Grieve, and Mirrored, a story by Dave Musson, two pieces that can really make one reflect.
Or Smile at All the Good Times We Had by Spencer Hamilton, where a couple of non-carnival enthusiasts stumble upon just that, a carnival, abandoned and forgotten in the deep forests of upstate New York. Well, forgotten by all but one man, and he has a horrifying notion to make sure everyone who steps foot in the carnival keeps smiling, even if it requires a hefty amount of bloodshed.
This collection was brought to you by Kelly Brocklehurst, who wrote Dance With Us, a story about a girl and her friends who sneak into an abandoned amusement park, where they find little-to-no amusement (Eek!), and Jamie Stewart, the puppeteer of No Strings, a tale of two dolls, separated at the county fair, and willing to shed blood to reunite (two of my favorite stories therein).
Welcome to the Funhouse is a non-stop thrill ride that I loved from beginning to end. I recommend highly. Just be sure to keep your head and arms inside the couch or chair at all times while reading, cause they just might get lopped off.
July 14, 2021
Review to come.
August 7, 2021
fantastically fun collection of creepy fumhoise stories!
Welcome to the Funhouse is a grand collection of creepy, twisted and fun stories sewn together with the common thread of funhouse fun. A unique collection, a delight for the horror lover, a must read for the fan of the creepy and weird.
Welcome to the Funhouse is a grand collection of creepy, twisted and fun stories sewn together with the common thread of funhouse fun. A unique collection, a delight for the horror lover, a must read for the fan of the creepy and weird.
July 13, 2021
Step right up and come on in. Welcome to the Funhouse is a collection of 12 well written stories centered around the carnival. Even though the theme is the same the stories were different. I was drawn immediately. It was hard to put down but my advice is to read each story slowly. Feel the horror unfold in each page. For some of the stories the horror is front and center and for others the horror sneaks up on you. This was a fun ride.
Read
September 10, 2021There is something haunting about carnivals.
Even the simplest of them, just a tent with some clowns and some animals, a simple circus, or the most complex, with huge tents, vendors, funhouses of all sorts, and rides. They all carry that aura of something hidden behind their façade of fun and merriment.
So it’s no wonder that Blood Rites Horror published an anthology that has them as a theme.
Editors Jamie Stewart and Kelly Brocklehurst did an amazing job choosing the stories, and the result is superb.
“The place is one giant smiley face emoji, as if branded into the forest itself like some kind of crop circle. crop circle. As we get closer, I pick out the individual pieces of the whole: a carousel and Tilt-A-Whirl for the eyes, the main walkway forming a perfect circle as the park’s perimeter, and gashed into the earth, the face’s eerie smile…”
All the stories in this book were very good in my opinion, well written, and will make you feel uneasy the next time you visit a carnival or fair. As usual, in all anthologies there are some stories you'll feel more attracted to or that will be more to your taste. In my case, four or five resonated with me the most.
I’ll start with the last story in the anthology “Smile at All the Good Times We Had” . This one, by Spencer Hamilton, brings us back to Smileyland, the abandoned theme park that is at the centre of this author's more recent work, and reveals some of its past and origins.
Then you can jump into “No Strings” , where you follow the events that transpire after a young girl wins a puppet doll from a game stall in a fair. Dolls are creepy, and Jamie Stewart makes sure you will never look at one the same way after this story.
“Mirrored” , by Dave Musson, is one of the most haunting stories of the anthology and it made me do two things after reading it. The first was to look up the song referenced in the story, ‘Carnaval de Paris’ by Dario G. (and yes, I knew it but not its name). The second, and the more important one, it made me make sure no mirror was uncovered when I went to sleep that night.
L. Pine's story “Anna and Abby” looks simple, and even cute at times, but it hides a darker tone and theme. It's one of those that will make you go 'what just happened?' and 'what did I just read?'.
“Family Outing” is the one with the most surprising ending of all. What begins as a simple trip to a water park takes a darker turn and Briana Morgan just pulls the carpet from under your feet and pulls an ending you’d never think of.
“I thought it would be different tonight. I thought I’d covered all of the mirrors in this room. Clearly not. Once my heartbeat had returned to a more normal speed, I got out of bed, looked around, and soon found the culprit: a skinny thing on the inside of the built-in cupboard. That’s how thin the line is; miss even the smallest, most insignificant mirror – something nine out of ten people using this room wouldn’t ever find – and I pay for it with terror in the small hours.”
These are just some of the stories present in the anthology, and I could write about all of them because they're all amazing.
There is something for everyone’s taste and this is one of those books you will not regret reading. So, just go on it, take your place in the crowd, look at the centre of the ring, feel the smell of popcorn, cotton candy, sawdust and blood around you, and enjoy the show.
Even the simplest of them, just a tent with some clowns and some animals, a simple circus, or the most complex, with huge tents, vendors, funhouses of all sorts, and rides. They all carry that aura of something hidden behind their façade of fun and merriment.
So it’s no wonder that Blood Rites Horror published an anthology that has them as a theme.
Editors Jamie Stewart and Kelly Brocklehurst did an amazing job choosing the stories, and the result is superb.
“The place is one giant smiley face emoji, as if branded into the forest itself like some kind of crop circle. crop circle. As we get closer, I pick out the individual pieces of the whole: a carousel and Tilt-A-Whirl for the eyes, the main walkway forming a perfect circle as the park’s perimeter, and gashed into the earth, the face’s eerie smile…”
All the stories in this book were very good in my opinion, well written, and will make you feel uneasy the next time you visit a carnival or fair. As usual, in all anthologies there are some stories you'll feel more attracted to or that will be more to your taste. In my case, four or five resonated with me the most.
I’ll start with the last story in the anthology “Smile at All the Good Times We Had” . This one, by Spencer Hamilton, brings us back to Smileyland, the abandoned theme park that is at the centre of this author's more recent work, and reveals some of its past and origins.
Then you can jump into “No Strings” , where you follow the events that transpire after a young girl wins a puppet doll from a game stall in a fair. Dolls are creepy, and Jamie Stewart makes sure you will never look at one the same way after this story.
“Mirrored” , by Dave Musson, is one of the most haunting stories of the anthology and it made me do two things after reading it. The first was to look up the song referenced in the story, ‘Carnaval de Paris’ by Dario G. (and yes, I knew it but not its name). The second, and the more important one, it made me make sure no mirror was uncovered when I went to sleep that night.
L. Pine's story “Anna and Abby” looks simple, and even cute at times, but it hides a darker tone and theme. It's one of those that will make you go 'what just happened?' and 'what did I just read?'.
“Family Outing” is the one with the most surprising ending of all. What begins as a simple trip to a water park takes a darker turn and Briana Morgan just pulls the carpet from under your feet and pulls an ending you’d never think of.
“I thought it would be different tonight. I thought I’d covered all of the mirrors in this room. Clearly not. Once my heartbeat had returned to a more normal speed, I got out of bed, looked around, and soon found the culprit: a skinny thing on the inside of the built-in cupboard. That’s how thin the line is; miss even the smallest, most insignificant mirror – something nine out of ten people using this room wouldn’t ever find – and I pay for it with terror in the small hours.”
These are just some of the stories present in the anthology, and I could write about all of them because they're all amazing.
There is something for everyone’s taste and this is one of those books you will not regret reading. So, just go on it, take your place in the crowd, look at the centre of the ring, feel the smell of popcorn, cotton candy, sawdust and blood around you, and enjoy the show.
August 18, 2021
Welcome to the Funhouse:
MIRRORS BY ROBIN GRIEVE
A wonderfully evocative start to this anthology, filled with vivid imagery. It reads as a nightmarish fairytale / poem, like Alice In Wonderland on the bad drugs. Get Tom Waits to narrate it & put it on a record. A++
•
CANDY APPLE SMILES BY CHRISTOPHER ROBERTSON
A tantalising slice of dark psychedelic horror, filled with a dream logic that makes sense somehow & conjures a great many visions. Another strong inclusion to the anthology.
•
THE CYCLONE SISTERS’ TRAVELLING CIRCUS BY ANGELA SYLVAINE
A sinister circus visits town & claims new minions with each visit. Can a girl protect her young brother from the Cyclone Sisters? This was a fun one with heart; a palpable sense of danger & it’s own dark mythology.
•
ANNA AND ABBY BY L. PINE
Family sticks together, until it can’t anymore. A fantastic tale, mournful & heartbreaking. A beautifully told tale of two sisters who work in the carnival & one sisters yearning for freedom. My favourite story so far.
•
THE PROP BY NIKKI R. LEIGH
This was a nice change of pace which starts as the story of a carnival worker with a self healing power but cleverly pivots into a budding romance between two young men who attended the carnival.
•
THE VIPERESS OF LAS CRUCES BY C.W. BLACKWELL
A beautifully written tale, although one with a plot device that I struggled to get on board with, but the writing was good enough for me to want read more by this writer. The titular Viperess is an interesting character & one I’d like to see more of.
•
THE GOLDEN TICKETS BY ROXIE VOORHEES
Another nicely written tale of young LGBTQ lovers & the hardships they face. A visit to the carnival could offer a chance to escape. The supernatural element here works well & is a personal fave of mine so bonus points for that & the nice subtle twist at the end.
•
DANCE WITH US BY KELLY BROCKLEHURST
We get our first abandoned amusement park in this story & of course it’s got some sinister surprises in store for a group of teens who decide to explore it. A nice bit of spook-a-blast fun.
•
NO STRINGS BY JAMIE STEWART
A father wins a strange doll for his daughter at the fair. I like how this story starts at the Fairground but the majority of it takes place afterwards at the girls home. Jamie weaves in a broken marriage, YouTube & demonic dolls in this fun , freaky tale.
•
FAMILY OUTING BY BRIANA MORGAN
A fairly simple tale of familial discontent framed around a trip to a water park. While the narrative didn’t 100% grab me, the writing was on point.
•
MIRRORED BY DAVE MUSSON
We are back at the carnival for another coming of age story involving the House of Mirrors. When the town bully chases a teen boy in there, he falls victim to the wrath of the mirrors, but the mirrors may not be done with the picked on teen just yet. An interesting idea, well told, though carnival fatigue is starting to set in a bit now.
•
SMILE AT ALL THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD BY SPENCER HAMILTON
We go out on a high note with this dual timeline story set in the fabled Smileyland amusement park. A great end to a really solid anthology & cant wait to dive into other Smileyland stories in the future.
MIRRORS BY ROBIN GRIEVE
A wonderfully evocative start to this anthology, filled with vivid imagery. It reads as a nightmarish fairytale / poem, like Alice In Wonderland on the bad drugs. Get Tom Waits to narrate it & put it on a record. A++
•
CANDY APPLE SMILES BY CHRISTOPHER ROBERTSON
A tantalising slice of dark psychedelic horror, filled with a dream logic that makes sense somehow & conjures a great many visions. Another strong inclusion to the anthology.
•
THE CYCLONE SISTERS’ TRAVELLING CIRCUS BY ANGELA SYLVAINE
A sinister circus visits town & claims new minions with each visit. Can a girl protect her young brother from the Cyclone Sisters? This was a fun one with heart; a palpable sense of danger & it’s own dark mythology.
•
ANNA AND ABBY BY L. PINE
Family sticks together, until it can’t anymore. A fantastic tale, mournful & heartbreaking. A beautifully told tale of two sisters who work in the carnival & one sisters yearning for freedom. My favourite story so far.
•
THE PROP BY NIKKI R. LEIGH
This was a nice change of pace which starts as the story of a carnival worker with a self healing power but cleverly pivots into a budding romance between two young men who attended the carnival.
•
THE VIPERESS OF LAS CRUCES BY C.W. BLACKWELL
A beautifully written tale, although one with a plot device that I struggled to get on board with, but the writing was good enough for me to want read more by this writer. The titular Viperess is an interesting character & one I’d like to see more of.
•
THE GOLDEN TICKETS BY ROXIE VOORHEES
Another nicely written tale of young LGBTQ lovers & the hardships they face. A visit to the carnival could offer a chance to escape. The supernatural element here works well & is a personal fave of mine so bonus points for that & the nice subtle twist at the end.
•
DANCE WITH US BY KELLY BROCKLEHURST
We get our first abandoned amusement park in this story & of course it’s got some sinister surprises in store for a group of teens who decide to explore it. A nice bit of spook-a-blast fun.
•
NO STRINGS BY JAMIE STEWART
A father wins a strange doll for his daughter at the fair. I like how this story starts at the Fairground but the majority of it takes place afterwards at the girls home. Jamie weaves in a broken marriage, YouTube & demonic dolls in this fun , freaky tale.
•
FAMILY OUTING BY BRIANA MORGAN
A fairly simple tale of familial discontent framed around a trip to a water park. While the narrative didn’t 100% grab me, the writing was on point.
•
MIRRORED BY DAVE MUSSON
We are back at the carnival for another coming of age story involving the House of Mirrors. When the town bully chases a teen boy in there, he falls victim to the wrath of the mirrors, but the mirrors may not be done with the picked on teen just yet. An interesting idea, well told, though carnival fatigue is starting to set in a bit now.
•
SMILE AT ALL THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD BY SPENCER HAMILTON
We go out on a high note with this dual timeline story set in the fabled Smileyland amusement park. A great end to a really solid anthology & cant wait to dive into other Smileyland stories in the future.
April 16, 2023
This collection of gruesome short stories captures the haunting feeling that carnivals and funhouses give off. There is a variety of gruesomeness and all stories managed to bring something new to the table. If you like horror stories at funhouses, you'll love this anthology. Great read!
The last two stories, Mirrored by Dave Musson and Smile at All the Good Times We Had by Spencer Hamilton, are the ones that I liked best.
Mirrored by Dave Musson really stood out for me. That story alone was a 4-5 star read. It's a haunting story in the best possible way. The writing style is one of my favorite ones. I just love when a story is written from a first person narrative or like diaryform. The narrator of this story is talking to the reader in a easygoing and humorous way. Ugh! Just loved that.
3.5stars
The last two stories, Mirrored by Dave Musson and Smile at All the Good Times We Had by Spencer Hamilton, are the ones that I liked best.
Mirrored by Dave Musson really stood out for me. That story alone was a 4-5 star read. It's a haunting story in the best possible way. The writing style is one of my favorite ones. I just love when a story is written from a first person narrative or like diaryform. The narrator of this story is talking to the reader in a easygoing and humorous way. Ugh! Just loved that.
3.5stars
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December 16, 2021Not rating or reviewing this book, since I'm one of the editors.
I will say though that editing this book was one of the most fun things I've done, and it made me fall in love with the editing process.
I will say though that editing this book was one of the most fun things I've done, and it made me fall in love with the editing process.
August 12, 2021
Another powerhouse anthology from Blood Rites. There's a story here for everyone, and Kelly and Jamie did an incredible job of editing (their stories are pretty awesome too). Perfect if you like being scared in short, snappy chunks. I haven't read many carnival-themed works, but this book may change that! Overall 4.5/5.
December 17, 2021
It is rare that I find an anthology as good as this one. I enjoyed all the stories and there were several that I loved. A creepy atmosphere ran through the book.
My favorites:
Smile at all the Good Times
No Strings
The Golden Tickets
The Prop
Family Outing
My favorites:
Smile at all the Good Times
No Strings
The Golden Tickets
The Prop
Family Outing
August 13, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised by this collection of short stories! All of the stories had strong creepy carnival vibes, and nothing too over the top. Very good write from all of the authors, my favorite of the bunch was The Cyclone Sisters’ Traveling Circus.
August 7, 2021
A fantastically fun collection of creepy fumhoise stories!
Welcome to the Funhouse is a grand collection of creepy, twisted and fun stories sewn together with the common thread of funhouse fun. A unique collection, a delight for the horror lover, a must read for the fan of the creepy and weird.
Welcome to the Funhouse is a grand collection of creepy, twisted and fun stories sewn together with the common thread of funhouse fun. A unique collection, a delight for the horror lover, a must read for the fan of the creepy and weird.
February 25, 2022
I read a fair bit of horror anthologies, and most contain about half good stories and the rest are either not my cuppa or just okay (by my subjective assessment). This anthology proved a welcome exception, where I liked nearly every story in it, with a few really standing out. I, like many, have found something unsettling about the carnival, and these stories do an excellent job of tapping into that unease, with the following standouts. I'll try to keep any spoilers out of the descriptors.
"The Cyclone Sisters’ Traveling Circus" by Angela Sylvaine.
GIST: A pair of demons in a traveling circus demand cheers and smiles for their wicked acts, else they get worse.
Good situational irony, where the reader gets the feel of something off right away but isn't sure what's going on. The circus - with its lights and sounds - can grow overwhelming and seem off, where perhaps you feel like the only one noticing the offness. This story follows a young girl who understands what's going on, plays along, but can't endure what the ringleaders demand this time.
"Anna and Abby" by L. Pine
GIST: Conjoined twins working in a freak show have different ideas about the nature of their partnership.
The richness of this story comes with how the twins relationship (or lack thereof) builds and grows clearer - and darker - over the course of the story, largely through the narrator, one of the twins. A well-crafted "locked in a box" style horror story.
"The Viperess of Las Cruces" by C.W. Blackwell
GIST: A bullied boy seeks help from the traveling carnival's mystic.
A sort of monkey's paw unfolding; be careful what you wish for. That said: an original and - despite the circumstances - quite believably written addition to that arc.
"No Strings" by Jamie Stewart
GIST: A pair of sentient marionettes will stay together, no matter what gets in their way.
Anyone who has kids or has gone through a divorce (as spouse or child) can appreciate the toxic family dynamic that Stewart navigates very well here. A conflict but then rendered miniscule by the bigger bad, or - in this case - the smaller bigger bad. I found myself genuinely spooked with this one.
"Family Outing" by Briana Morgan
GIST: A last-ditch vacay with feuding parents turns deadly as tempers rise.
This wasn't scary so much as sad, but what interested me was the way the family dynamic was written. Sometimes, even on vacation, there are no winners, as is the case here. A sad current carries the young daughter through her own horror story.
"The Cyclone Sisters’ Traveling Circus" by Angela Sylvaine.
GIST: A pair of demons in a traveling circus demand cheers and smiles for their wicked acts, else they get worse.
Good situational irony, where the reader gets the feel of something off right away but isn't sure what's going on. The circus - with its lights and sounds - can grow overwhelming and seem off, where perhaps you feel like the only one noticing the offness. This story follows a young girl who understands what's going on, plays along, but can't endure what the ringleaders demand this time.
"Anna and Abby" by L. Pine
GIST: Conjoined twins working in a freak show have different ideas about the nature of their partnership.
The richness of this story comes with how the twins relationship (or lack thereof) builds and grows clearer - and darker - over the course of the story, largely through the narrator, one of the twins. A well-crafted "locked in a box" style horror story.
"The Viperess of Las Cruces" by C.W. Blackwell
GIST: A bullied boy seeks help from the traveling carnival's mystic.
A sort of monkey's paw unfolding; be careful what you wish for. That said: an original and - despite the circumstances - quite believably written addition to that arc.
"No Strings" by Jamie Stewart
GIST: A pair of sentient marionettes will stay together, no matter what gets in their way.
Anyone who has kids or has gone through a divorce (as spouse or child) can appreciate the toxic family dynamic that Stewart navigates very well here. A conflict but then rendered miniscule by the bigger bad, or - in this case - the smaller bigger bad. I found myself genuinely spooked with this one.
"Family Outing" by Briana Morgan
GIST: A last-ditch vacay with feuding parents turns deadly as tempers rise.
This wasn't scary so much as sad, but what interested me was the way the family dynamic was written. Sometimes, even on vacation, there are no winners, as is the case here. A sad current carries the young daughter through her own horror story.
August 10, 2021
A great collection of carnival/ fun fair horror stories. A lot to like here! I enjoyed every story in the collection. It's hard to pick a favourite amongst it. Plenty of twists, turns and dire endings. If you're looking for anthology with unique short stories, look no further!
4.25/5 overall
4.25/5 overall
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May 16, 2022This was a fun themed anthology!
“Mirrored” is crackerjack, I dug the reality of the leftovers friend group (“my unchosen but perfectly adequate friends” made me laugh) and absolutely love a slightly ambiguous ending.
“Anna and Abbey” was a creepy tight story, can’t help but think of the XFiles episode Humbug.
“Candy Apple Smiles” was my favorite germ of an idea in the collection and will be creeping me out for some time!
“Mirrored” is crackerjack, I dug the reality of the leftovers friend group (“my unchosen but perfectly adequate friends” made me laugh) and absolutely love a slightly ambiguous ending.
“Anna and Abbey” was a creepy tight story, can’t help but think of the XFiles episode Humbug.
“Candy Apple Smiles” was my favorite germ of an idea in the collection and will be creeping me out for some time!
August 4, 2022
"Welcome to the Funhouse: A Carnival Horror Anthology"
"Mirrors" by Robin Grieve
This was very poetic and quirky, a great one to start with!
"Candy Apple Smiles" by Christopher Robertson
I loved the descriptions of the clowns / spiders in this!
"The Cyclone Sisters' Travelling Circus" by Angela Sylvaine
This one was wonderfully weird!
"Anna and Abby" by L. Pine
This one really had the shock factor when I realised what was going on! It was pretty brutal too, but a cool / scary visual!
"The Prop" by Nikki R. Leigh
Quirky and funny with an ending that made me smile!
"Nothing good happens in a Cornfield"
"The Viperess of Las Cruces" by C.W. Blackwell
Another wonderfully weird story, loved the ending of it!
"The Golden Tickets" by Roxie Voorhees
Loved the setting and the characters of this! Most importantly the acceptance that other characters had towards them etc (and karma for those who did not!)
"Dance With Us" by Kelly Brocklehurst
This was my favourite, I love an abandoned amusement park and ghostly events! I could really picture myself there and feel the creep!
"No Strings" by Jamie Stewart
This was deffo the scariest one for me!
I was on edge! I love sentences that go something like "He didn't acknowledge it now, but he would remember this later when the police told him what happened"
LIKE WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN?!
"Family Outing" by Briana Morgan
This one took a turn I was not expecting! Something very different happened to what I thought. A cool story!
"Mirrored" by Dave Musson
I really enjoyed this one. It was creepy. The writing style was extra unique and for some reason, I pictured it as the funfair that used to pitch up in my local park as a teen.
"Smile at All the Good Times We Had" by Spencer Hamilton
Umm I wasn't expecting that? Very much enjoyed though!
I wish I had more of it!
I recommend this unique set of creepy little stories all based around carnivals! 🎪 I loved that although the setting is the same for each, the writing was done so well that I was able to imagine each carnival's appearance differently! Great for carnival / horror / spooky world lovers!
"Mirrors" by Robin Grieve
This was very poetic and quirky, a great one to start with!
"Candy Apple Smiles" by Christopher Robertson
I loved the descriptions of the clowns / spiders in this!
"The Cyclone Sisters' Travelling Circus" by Angela Sylvaine
This one was wonderfully weird!
"Anna and Abby" by L. Pine
This one really had the shock factor when I realised what was going on! It was pretty brutal too, but a cool / scary visual!
"The Prop" by Nikki R. Leigh
Quirky and funny with an ending that made me smile!
"Nothing good happens in a Cornfield"
"The Viperess of Las Cruces" by C.W. Blackwell
Another wonderfully weird story, loved the ending of it!
"The Golden Tickets" by Roxie Voorhees
Loved the setting and the characters of this! Most importantly the acceptance that other characters had towards them etc (and karma for those who did not!)
"Dance With Us" by Kelly Brocklehurst
This was my favourite, I love an abandoned amusement park and ghostly events! I could really picture myself there and feel the creep!
"No Strings" by Jamie Stewart
This was deffo the scariest one for me!
I was on edge! I love sentences that go something like "He didn't acknowledge it now, but he would remember this later when the police told him what happened"
LIKE WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN?!
"Family Outing" by Briana Morgan
This one took a turn I was not expecting! Something very different happened to what I thought. A cool story!
"Mirrored" by Dave Musson
I really enjoyed this one. It was creepy. The writing style was extra unique and for some reason, I pictured it as the funfair that used to pitch up in my local park as a teen.
"Smile at All the Good Times We Had" by Spencer Hamilton
Umm I wasn't expecting that? Very much enjoyed though!
I wish I had more of it!
I recommend this unique set of creepy little stories all based around carnivals! 🎪 I loved that although the setting is the same for each, the writing was done so well that I was able to imagine each carnival's appearance differently! Great for carnival / horror / spooky world lovers!
August 1, 2023
I had high hopes for this circus themed book of short stories and it didn't disappoint. There were some really good ones and a few I didn't love. Overall it was a great, creepy collection.
Mirrors 2 / 5
I'm not the biggest fan of the poem type stories so this one wasn't really my style. I did like the idea though.
Candy Apple Smiles 4 / 5
This was a creepy tale with a twist I didn't see coming. A great mix of a dark creepy forest and an even creepier carnival.
The Cyclone Sisters Traveling Circus 4 /5
An interesting story that I wish was a little bit longer. I really liked the sinister vibe and the idea of the story.
Anna And Abby 5 / 5
A surprisingly emotional story that I wasn't expecting to turn out the way it did.
The Prop 2 / 5
This one was short and sweet. Sweet not exactly being what I was expecting from the stories in this book of course.
The Viperess Of Los Cruces 4 / 5
Short but not so sweet, this was a good tale of karma coming back to bite a bully in the butt.
The Golden Tickets 2 / 5
A coming of age story that wasn't as creepy as I would have liked compared to the other stories so far.
Dance With Us 4 / 5
There's usually nothing better than an abandoned, haunted amusement park! This was a creepy one with a strange ending that could have been better.
No Strings 5 / 5
A creepy doll tale that did not disappoint.
Family Outing 4 / 5
Not quite what I was expecting but a good (and disturbing) short story.
Mirrored 3 / 5
A bit too long and drawn out with not much action for my liking. When it did finally got to the creepy part it did get good though.
Smile At All The Good Times We Had 5 / 5
This was a great story to finish off the book with. Yet another abandoned (or not so abandoned) theme park read.
Mirrors 2 / 5
I'm not the biggest fan of the poem type stories so this one wasn't really my style. I did like the idea though.
Candy Apple Smiles 4 / 5
This was a creepy tale with a twist I didn't see coming. A great mix of a dark creepy forest and an even creepier carnival.
The Cyclone Sisters Traveling Circus 4 /5
An interesting story that I wish was a little bit longer. I really liked the sinister vibe and the idea of the story.
Anna And Abby 5 / 5
A surprisingly emotional story that I wasn't expecting to turn out the way it did.
The Prop 2 / 5
This one was short and sweet. Sweet not exactly being what I was expecting from the stories in this book of course.
The Viperess Of Los Cruces 4 / 5
Short but not so sweet, this was a good tale of karma coming back to bite a bully in the butt.
The Golden Tickets 2 / 5
A coming of age story that wasn't as creepy as I would have liked compared to the other stories so far.
Dance With Us 4 / 5
There's usually nothing better than an abandoned, haunted amusement park! This was a creepy one with a strange ending that could have been better.
No Strings 5 / 5
A creepy doll tale that did not disappoint.
Family Outing 4 / 5
Not quite what I was expecting but a good (and disturbing) short story.
Mirrored 3 / 5
A bit too long and drawn out with not much action for my liking. When it did finally got to the creepy part it did get good though.
Smile At All The Good Times We Had 5 / 5
This was a great story to finish off the book with. Yet another abandoned (or not so abandoned) theme park read.
August 12, 2021
🎡Spoiler Free Book Review🎢
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 rounded up)
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Carnivals and horror go together like tacos and Tuesdays…or peas and carrots if you’re into vegetables I guess. My point is, they just fit.
•
Maybe you’re wary of clowns or the thought of getting lost in a mirror maze gives you nightmares. Maybe you have a memory from your childhood about getting separated in the crowd or maybe you love everything about carnivals but still see the possibility for terror…when it’s shut down for the night, or for good…in the eyes of the shifty guy running the roller coaster…in the creaks and groans of the Ferris wheel as it turns. If any of this sounds familiar, this book is for you.
•
Welcome to the Funhouse is a collection of short stories, each by a different author, and there’s something here for every horror fan. The cover art, the forewords, and the order of the stories all come together to make a fantastic reading experience. Every story is well written and each of the authors involved deserves a place on your TBR.
•
I won’t review every story here, but I will highlight a few personal favorites.
Candy Apple Smiles - Part fantasy, all spine-chilling nightmare material. I want more!
The Cyclone Sisters’ Travelling Circus - Hunger Games vibes with a horrific twist. Loved it!
Dance With Us - Sometimes less is more. The possibilities are endless with this creepy tale!
Mirrored - Everything I want from a short story. Great characters, a unique plot, and that ending👌🏼
Smile at All the Good Times We Had - A perfect teaser sequel to ‘Welcome to Smileyland’. Now please gimme the Smileyland novel!
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Blood Rites Horror continues to put out quality content and I can’t wait to see what’s next from them.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 rounded up)
•
Carnivals and horror go together like tacos and Tuesdays…or peas and carrots if you’re into vegetables I guess. My point is, they just fit.
•
Maybe you’re wary of clowns or the thought of getting lost in a mirror maze gives you nightmares. Maybe you have a memory from your childhood about getting separated in the crowd or maybe you love everything about carnivals but still see the possibility for terror…when it’s shut down for the night, or for good…in the eyes of the shifty guy running the roller coaster…in the creaks and groans of the Ferris wheel as it turns. If any of this sounds familiar, this book is for you.
•
Welcome to the Funhouse is a collection of short stories, each by a different author, and there’s something here for every horror fan. The cover art, the forewords, and the order of the stories all come together to make a fantastic reading experience. Every story is well written and each of the authors involved deserves a place on your TBR.
•
I won’t review every story here, but I will highlight a few personal favorites.
Candy Apple Smiles - Part fantasy, all spine-chilling nightmare material. I want more!
The Cyclone Sisters’ Travelling Circus - Hunger Games vibes with a horrific twist. Loved it!
Dance With Us - Sometimes less is more. The possibilities are endless with this creepy tale!
Mirrored - Everything I want from a short story. Great characters, a unique plot, and that ending👌🏼
Smile at All the Good Times We Had - A perfect teaser sequel to ‘Welcome to Smileyland’. Now please gimme the Smileyland novel!
•
Blood Rites Horror continues to put out quality content and I can’t wait to see what’s next from them.
April 11, 2022
Welcome to the Funhouse - 5/5
Edited by Kelly Brocklehurst and Jamie Stewart
This was 100% a cover buy and I actually loved this anthology. I love carnivals, clowns, the cotton candy - everything I wanted in a short story horror anthology.
You can read about the acrobatic clowns in CANDY APPLE SMILES. You can read about the weird creatures at the carnival show in THE CYCLONE SISTERS’ TRAVELLING CIRCUS. You can read about the parasitic twin in ANNA AND ABBY. And in THE PROP - you can read about the man who can be ripped in half… and survive! A gorgeous short tale of revenge in THE VIPERESS OF LAS CRUCES. A story of first love and romance in THE GOLDEN TICKETS. A visit to the carnival bumper cars which leads you to DANCE WITH US. The story of a social media influencer and her daughter with some antique dolls in NO STRINGS. A story of a disastrous day out to the carnival in FAMILY OUTING. A story about a man who is saved by the mirror hall in MIRRORED. And lastly, SMILE AT ALL THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD - where the only rule is to never stop smiling.
Edited by Kelly Brocklehurst and Jamie Stewart
This was 100% a cover buy and I actually loved this anthology. I love carnivals, clowns, the cotton candy - everything I wanted in a short story horror anthology.
You can read about the acrobatic clowns in CANDY APPLE SMILES. You can read about the weird creatures at the carnival show in THE CYCLONE SISTERS’ TRAVELLING CIRCUS. You can read about the parasitic twin in ANNA AND ABBY. And in THE PROP - you can read about the man who can be ripped in half… and survive! A gorgeous short tale of revenge in THE VIPERESS OF LAS CRUCES. A story of first love and romance in THE GOLDEN TICKETS. A visit to the carnival bumper cars which leads you to DANCE WITH US. The story of a social media influencer and her daughter with some antique dolls in NO STRINGS. A story of a disastrous day out to the carnival in FAMILY OUTING. A story about a man who is saved by the mirror hall in MIRRORED. And lastly, SMILE AT ALL THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD - where the only rule is to never stop smiling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2021
I saw this anthology bouncing around Instagram. I was intrigued so I gave it a try. I haven’t read an anthology for a while so this was a lovely change from reading novels.
I won’t comment on every single story because I don’t want to give any of the twists away. The story that struck out to me the most was ANNA AND ABBY by L.Pine. A tragic POV short written from the mind of a parasitic twin, something I’ve never read before. Working as an act in a freak show, Abby is tired of being hidden, concealed under clothing by her sister Anna & being talked about like she doesn’t exist. With minimal limbs, lack of a face & everything else, Abby has full awareness of her surroundings and a beautiful manner of articulating herself. Even though there were moments that were bloody, this story really pulled at my heartstrings. Abby just wants to live & be free.
I highly recommend this anthology if you’re into horror stories in a circus/carnival/theme park settings.
5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ well done to all of the writers involved!
I won’t comment on every single story because I don’t want to give any of the twists away. The story that struck out to me the most was ANNA AND ABBY by L.Pine. A tragic POV short written from the mind of a parasitic twin, something I’ve never read before. Working as an act in a freak show, Abby is tired of being hidden, concealed under clothing by her sister Anna & being talked about like she doesn’t exist. With minimal limbs, lack of a face & everything else, Abby has full awareness of her surroundings and a beautiful manner of articulating herself. Even though there were moments that were bloody, this story really pulled at my heartstrings. Abby just wants to live & be free.
I highly recommend this anthology if you’re into horror stories in a circus/carnival/theme park settings.
5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ well done to all of the writers involved!
September 26, 2025
I've always loved stories about carnivals, circuses, funfairs and amusement parks, so this anthology felt right up my street.
As with any anthology, not every story strikes a chord, but Welcome to the Funhouse has some good solid ones.
Candy Apple Smiles (Christopher Robertson), The Cyclone Sisters' Travelling Circus (Angela Sylvaine), Mirrored (Dave Musson), and Smile at All the Good Times We Had (Spencer Hamilton) were particular favourites.
All of the stories captured the 'anything could happen' feeling that comes with the setting, and were filled with atmosphere. There was plenty of bizarre, disturbing imagery and some ideas that made my skin crawl.
3.75 stars, rounded up.
As with any anthology, not every story strikes a chord, but Welcome to the Funhouse has some good solid ones.
Candy Apple Smiles (Christopher Robertson), The Cyclone Sisters' Travelling Circus (Angela Sylvaine), Mirrored (Dave Musson), and Smile at All the Good Times We Had (Spencer Hamilton) were particular favourites.
All of the stories captured the 'anything could happen' feeling that comes with the setting, and were filled with atmosphere. There was plenty of bizarre, disturbing imagery and some ideas that made my skin crawl.
3.75 stars, rounded up.
January 29, 2023
Robin Grieve: Mirrors | 4/5
Christopher Robertson: Candy Apple Smiles | 2/5
Angela Sylvaine: The Cyclone Sisters' Travelling Circus | 5/5
L. Pine: Anna and Abby | 4/5
Nikki R. Leigh: The Prop | 5/5
C. W. Blackwell: The Viperess of Las Cruces | 3/5
Roxie Voorhees: The Golden Tickets | 3/5
Kelly Brocklehurst: Dance with Us | 4/5
Jamie Stewart: No Strings | 2/5
Briana Morgan: Family Outing | 4/5
Dave Musson: Mirrored | 3/5
Spencer Hamilton: Smile at All the Good Times We Had | 2/5
Christopher Robertson: Candy Apple Smiles | 2/5
Angela Sylvaine: The Cyclone Sisters' Travelling Circus | 5/5
L. Pine: Anna and Abby | 4/5
Nikki R. Leigh: The Prop | 5/5
C. W. Blackwell: The Viperess of Las Cruces | 3/5
Roxie Voorhees: The Golden Tickets | 3/5
Kelly Brocklehurst: Dance with Us | 4/5
Jamie Stewart: No Strings | 2/5
Briana Morgan: Family Outing | 4/5
Dave Musson: Mirrored | 3/5
Spencer Hamilton: Smile at All the Good Times We Had | 2/5
October 1, 2021
As with nearly any anthology, some of the stories are better than others. A couple of the stories I thought were very good and none of them were really bad. Overall I enjoyed it and it kept me entertained.
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