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The Collapse of Ordinary
What happens when horror and madness collide with reality?
For most of us, life is a routine of the same chores and responsibilities. We are ordinary people doing ordinary things, unaware of the chaos closing in.
A hotel auditor gets more than he bargained for from a scary story podcast
A trip to the casino turns sinister with more on the line than money
A graveside funeral service spirals into a web of mind shattering revelations
These horrors and more await you within. Cast aside your doubts, open your mind, and embrace the insanity.
Walk with me into the Collapse of Ordinary
For most of us, life is a routine of the same chores and responsibilities. We are ordinary people doing ordinary things, unaware of the chaos closing in.
A hotel auditor gets more than he bargained for from a scary story podcast
A trip to the casino turns sinister with more on the line than money
A graveside funeral service spirals into a web of mind shattering revelations
These horrors and more await you within. Cast aside your doubts, open your mind, and embrace the insanity.
Walk with me into the Collapse of Ordinary
127 pages, Paperback
Published August 10, 2021
5 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 20, 2021
A nice, varied selection of horror stories. Some of them were more like scenes than actual stories, but they still worked. A couple had some great world-building and could be expanded into longer pieces. Not a bad tale in the bunch, either. Looking forward to more from this author in the future.
September 26, 2021
The Night Auditor - This was a fun, creepy, modernized haunted hotel story. I loved the haunting podcast aspect of this one. 🎧🎧🎧🎧.5/5 podcast episodes
Max Bet - this story explores the lengths at which someone is willing to go in order to provide for their family. I love that this story started with a man that was desperate and then took a very horrific turn. 🎰🎰🎰🎰🎰/5 not so hot slot machines
Those That Help Themselves - self help plus horror? This is a combination that I didn't know I needed. Self help can be a little culty so I can totally see how someone could go off the rails and twist the mantras they learn. 🧘♂️🧘♂️🧘♂️🧘♂️/5 not so zen moments
Gone Fishin' - a relaxing day at the lake with a twist, zombies surround the shore and there is no way out. This story also has a grief aspect that was right up my alley. 🎣🎣🎣🎣.5/5 fishing lines
Victims of the Elements - cabin fever can be a b*tch! Now imagine being trapped in a building, all alone, and in Antarctica while the rest of the crew is dead. Loved the ending of this one but I won't say anything to spoil it. ❄❄❄❄.5/5 snow drifts
Fabric - this story had me enthralled throughout. I loved the family history aspect and the horror was chilling. I would love the see a longer form version of this too. 🪡🪡🪡🪡🪡/5 furiously sewing needles
I Am Not Gone - this was a fun, quick story about a child that finds a missing poster for himself. This is too quick to go in depth without giving away the plot. 🙍🏼♂️🙍🏼♂️🙍🏼♂️.5/5 missing, scraggly haired blonde boys
The Girl on the Boardwalk - boardwalk and horror? Sign me up. This is a cautionary tale to NEVER FOLLOW THE MYSTERY GIRL THAT CATCHES YOUR EYE IN A CROWD! It's not going to end well bruh. I had an idea of where this one was going but I was quite pleased with where it ended up. 🌊🌊🌊🌊/5 crashing waves
Higgins Road - we all know somebody that tells tall tales, embellishes every story a little bit. What if they are just following orders? This story was well written and quirky. It poses the question, what if aliens abducted people and took control of them before returning them. 👽👽👽.5/5 little green men
Of Being a Pallbearer - roped into being a pallbearer simply out of necessity, Teddy notices an ominous thump coming from the casket that seemingly is only heard by his estranged cousin. What follows is a family legacy that I did not see coming. ⚰⚰⚰⚰/5 closed caskets
She's Always Been Mine - I thought I knew but I had no idea. This story was not what it seemed and I loved it. What happens when obsession has deadly consequences? ⛸⛸⛸⛸.5/5 ice skating rinks
Easter Morning - this one needs to be experienced blind. Just know that even the most devout can be corrupted. One hell of a finale to this collection. 🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰/5 Easter bunnies
Overall I was thoroughly entertained by this collection. There was a good mix of stories that kept me turning the page. 👁👁👁👁.3/5 watchful eyes
Max Bet - this story explores the lengths at which someone is willing to go in order to provide for their family. I love that this story started with a man that was desperate and then took a very horrific turn. 🎰🎰🎰🎰🎰/5 not so hot slot machines
Those That Help Themselves - self help plus horror? This is a combination that I didn't know I needed. Self help can be a little culty so I can totally see how someone could go off the rails and twist the mantras they learn. 🧘♂️🧘♂️🧘♂️🧘♂️/5 not so zen moments
Gone Fishin' - a relaxing day at the lake with a twist, zombies surround the shore and there is no way out. This story also has a grief aspect that was right up my alley. 🎣🎣🎣🎣.5/5 fishing lines
Victims of the Elements - cabin fever can be a b*tch! Now imagine being trapped in a building, all alone, and in Antarctica while the rest of the crew is dead. Loved the ending of this one but I won't say anything to spoil it. ❄❄❄❄.5/5 snow drifts
Fabric - this story had me enthralled throughout. I loved the family history aspect and the horror was chilling. I would love the see a longer form version of this too. 🪡🪡🪡🪡🪡/5 furiously sewing needles
I Am Not Gone - this was a fun, quick story about a child that finds a missing poster for himself. This is too quick to go in depth without giving away the plot. 🙍🏼♂️🙍🏼♂️🙍🏼♂️.5/5 missing, scraggly haired blonde boys
The Girl on the Boardwalk - boardwalk and horror? Sign me up. This is a cautionary tale to NEVER FOLLOW THE MYSTERY GIRL THAT CATCHES YOUR EYE IN A CROWD! It's not going to end well bruh. I had an idea of where this one was going but I was quite pleased with where it ended up. 🌊🌊🌊🌊/5 crashing waves
Higgins Road - we all know somebody that tells tall tales, embellishes every story a little bit. What if they are just following orders? This story was well written and quirky. It poses the question, what if aliens abducted people and took control of them before returning them. 👽👽👽.5/5 little green men
Of Being a Pallbearer - roped into being a pallbearer simply out of necessity, Teddy notices an ominous thump coming from the casket that seemingly is only heard by his estranged cousin. What follows is a family legacy that I did not see coming. ⚰⚰⚰⚰/5 closed caskets
She's Always Been Mine - I thought I knew but I had no idea. This story was not what it seemed and I loved it. What happens when obsession has deadly consequences? ⛸⛸⛸⛸.5/5 ice skating rinks
Easter Morning - this one needs to be experienced blind. Just know that even the most devout can be corrupted. One hell of a finale to this collection. 🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰/5 Easter bunnies
Overall I was thoroughly entertained by this collection. There was a good mix of stories that kept me turning the page. 👁👁👁👁.3/5 watchful eyes
October 18, 2021
A strong collection of horror stories. If you enjoy a good spook I recommend reading this at night. The author leaves each story up to your own interpretation. Though some stories don’t reach their full potential. This collection hits more than it misses. A strong debut collection worth checking out.
November 10, 2021
I enjoyed this a lot. Some of the stories were like little slices of The Outer Limits or The Twilight Zone.
A couple of them didn't grab me as much as the rest did. The writing was all there, they just weren't for me so that's personal taste is all.
It's a really great collection and I'm glad I got it. I will be one of the first in the queue next time this author brings out another book
A couple of them didn't grab me as much as the rest did. The writing was all there, they just weren't for me so that's personal taste is all.
It's a really great collection and I'm glad I got it. I will be one of the first in the queue next time this author brings out another book
August 16, 2021
Solid debut. Every story has this great moment where the tables turn and you had no idea that was coming. My favorites are Gone Fishin', I Am Not Gone, and She Has Always Been Mine, with Fabric as a strong runner up. Absolutely worth a read.
August 17, 2022
Each story in this collection is unnerving and spooky, like a particularly cruel episode of Tales from the Crypt. Clark creates protagonists with our same hopes and weaknesses, and we watch helplessly as evils from out of their control test, and more often than not, break them. Fantastic horror collection!
September 7, 2021
Considering this is his first collection, Clark writes with the skill and confidence of someone with a few books under their belt. His stories hook you from the first sentence, and don’t let go until the horrors within have chilled your blood.
There were also a few times when I found myself genuinely touched by what I had read. Gone Fishin’ is a good example of that, and one of my favourite tales in the book. If you like a zombie apocalypse yarn that’ll tug on your heartstrings, this is the one for you.
The Collapse of Ordinary has no fillers. Each of the dozen stories had something that appealed to this reader of horror. From zombies to UFOs to demons, this book has lots of frights on offer. I loved it and can’t recommend this book enough. Definitely one of my favourite reads of this year.
Mark my words, Steve L Clark is a name we are going to hear more of in the future. Personally, I can’t wait to read more of his work.
There were also a few times when I found myself genuinely touched by what I had read. Gone Fishin’ is a good example of that, and one of my favourite tales in the book. If you like a zombie apocalypse yarn that’ll tug on your heartstrings, this is the one for you.
The Collapse of Ordinary has no fillers. Each of the dozen stories had something that appealed to this reader of horror. From zombies to UFOs to demons, this book has lots of frights on offer. I loved it and can’t recommend this book enough. Definitely one of my favourite reads of this year.
Mark my words, Steve L Clark is a name we are going to hear more of in the future. Personally, I can’t wait to read more of his work.
December 28, 2022
Really liked the short stories! They were all different and made you think. Enjoyable read.
September 21, 2021
If you’re looking for some quick and fun stories, this’ll do the trick. Nothing too deep or game changing, just good old fashioned creeps and chills. A great start for Steve Clark to what I hope is a promising career!
August 15, 2021
very good debut collection. definitely worth the read if your into horror stories.
August 25, 2021
This author has some chops! I found the stories to be unique and entertaining. Some great twists and interesting characters too. Mr. Clark is one to watch in my opinion.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews