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There is No Death, There are No Dead
The spirits of the dead exist, and they want to communicate.
First appearing in the late 1800s, spiritualism became a religious movement that swept the nation. Under the assumption that the dead live on in the afterlife, spiritualists believed that contact with the dearly departed was not only possible, but something those who crossed over longed for. Contact was usually made through a medium, a person who claimed to have the ability to speak with the dead.
There Is No Death, There Are No Dead is a horror anthology that tackles all aspects of the spiritualist movement: from the true believers to the nay-sayers, the hoaxes to hauntings, the real mediums to the scam artists. From ghosts to possessions, from profound loss to insurmountable grief, these short stories explore limitless genres (historical fiction, Gaslamp mystery, modern horror, and everything in between) with a diverse cast of characters challenged at every corner.
There Is No Death, There Are No Dead includes new work from some of the most talented and respected authors in the horror and dark fantasy genres, featuring stories from Gemma Files, Helen Marshall, Kathe Koja, Lee Murray, David Demchuk, Lisa Morton, Gwendolyn Kiste, S.P. Miskowski, Seanan McGuire, Catherine Lord, Chesya Burke, Nadia Bulkin, Michelle Belanger, and Laird Barron, and edited by Bram Stoker Award winner Jess Landry and Aaron J. French.
The dead are speaking. Will you hear?
Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.
First appearing in the late 1800s, spiritualism became a religious movement that swept the nation. Under the assumption that the dead live on in the afterlife, spiritualists believed that contact with the dearly departed was not only possible, but something those who crossed over longed for. Contact was usually made through a medium, a person who claimed to have the ability to speak with the dead.
There Is No Death, There Are No Dead is a horror anthology that tackles all aspects of the spiritualist movement: from the true believers to the nay-sayers, the hoaxes to hauntings, the real mediums to the scam artists. From ghosts to possessions, from profound loss to insurmountable grief, these short stories explore limitless genres (historical fiction, Gaslamp mystery, modern horror, and everything in between) with a diverse cast of characters challenged at every corner.
There Is No Death, There Are No Dead includes new work from some of the most talented and respected authors in the horror and dark fantasy genres, featuring stories from Gemma Files, Helen Marshall, Kathe Koja, Lee Murray, David Demchuk, Lisa Morton, Gwendolyn Kiste, S.P. Miskowski, Seanan McGuire, Catherine Lord, Chesya Burke, Nadia Bulkin, Michelle Belanger, and Laird Barron, and edited by Bram Stoker Award winner Jess Landry and Aaron J. French.
The dead are speaking. Will you hear?
Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2021
61 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 12, 2021
I was equally thrilled to see There Is No Death, There Are No Dead opening with Gemma Files’ eerie but friendly medium Carraclough Devize as I was to encounter horror’s favorite professional bad-ass final girl Jessica Maze (as written by Laid Barron) in the last story. Nice touch, there. If you’re not familiar with the two protagonists don’t worry, this is not a class reunion for indie horror lovers. It is a fresh anthology of sometimes classic scary, sometimes sad and sometimes quirky short stories revolving around people who can communicate with ghosts. And you can find them everywhere; in amusement parks, in morgues, traveling, going to work, writing newspaper articles, studying or being haunted themselves.
If you’re a fan of old school gothic hauntings, you can find plenty of séances, creepy kids, Ouija boards from the late 19th century here but the stories that I enjoyed most were the more unusual ones set in our times; “Mad Munk” by Gwendolyn Kiste where the ghost of Rasputin haunts a working class housing complex in the Chicago area; “Talitha Cumi” by Chesya Burke where pain is explored through the lens of the African-American experience and “The One Word I Can’t Say” by S.P. Miskowski – especially those who have an annoying sister who steals your stuff will enjoy the ghost of this annoying sister. With Michelle Belanger’s “The Shape of Her Soul” I have read my first piece of writing which acknowledges the COVID19-pandemic; here the face mask which bears an almost political symbolism in the USA is used in various ways, and that was the first time I read about the “new normal” in literature. Makes you feel weird. And finally, in “A Feather for Mrs. Edmond” by David Demchuk I found the most evil and creepiest kid ever, I don’t think I’ll ever want to meet that boy.
So, those were my highlights, but I also enjoyed any other story. There Is No Death, There Are No Dead is a very much recommended anthology for anyone who is a lover of ghosts, mediums and anything related.
If you’re a fan of old school gothic hauntings, you can find plenty of séances, creepy kids, Ouija boards from the late 19th century here but the stories that I enjoyed most were the more unusual ones set in our times; “Mad Munk” by Gwendolyn Kiste where the ghost of Rasputin haunts a working class housing complex in the Chicago area; “Talitha Cumi” by Chesya Burke where pain is explored through the lens of the African-American experience and “The One Word I Can’t Say” by S.P. Miskowski – especially those who have an annoying sister who steals your stuff will enjoy the ghost of this annoying sister. With Michelle Belanger’s “The Shape of Her Soul” I have read my first piece of writing which acknowledges the COVID19-pandemic; here the face mask which bears an almost political symbolism in the USA is used in various ways, and that was the first time I read about the “new normal” in literature. Makes you feel weird. And finally, in “A Feather for Mrs. Edmond” by David Demchuk I found the most evil and creepiest kid ever, I don’t think I’ll ever want to meet that boy.
So, those were my highlights, but I also enjoyed any other story. There Is No Death, There Are No Dead is a very much recommended anthology for anyone who is a lover of ghosts, mediums and anything related.
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January 10, 2022Look for my review in an upcoming issue of SCREAM Mag!
August 26, 2021
Another great anthology.
This is the perfect book to read as the nights are starting to get longer. It definitely will have you checking g all the little creaks and groans in your house.
I particularly enjoyed the tale by Gemma Files.
Read this book!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and chose to review it. The opinion is my own.
This is the perfect book to read as the nights are starting to get longer. It definitely will have you checking g all the little creaks and groans in your house.
I particularly enjoyed the tale by Gemma Files.
Read this book!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and chose to review it. The opinion is my own.
November 22, 2021
The contributor’s list here is a who’s who of horror right now. You’ve got excellent tales you’ve come to expect from Gemma Files, Helen Marshall, Gwendolyn Kiste, Seanan McGuire, Nadia Bulkin, and so many more!
The story I found most surprising was “The Curious Story of Susan Styles: A Psychical Romance” written in 1893 by Catherine Lord. Fascinating that a published story of that era would be so open about infelicities and murder. This almost has a penny dreadful feel to its gruesome detail. Also, I’m pretty well read on public domain authors, and this was my first encounter with Catherine Lord. I look forward to more.
Probably my favorite story of the bunch was “American Remake of a Japanese Ghost Story” by Laird Barron. Lush wordplay, excellent worldbuilding, delightful metacommentary, great monster. “The Bone Eater” by Lee Murray was a story of a Maori on the lowest rungs of society helping restless spirits find peace at the end of it all. A ton of heart in this story. “The One Word I Can't Say” by S. P. Miskowski inhabits the theme of mediums nicely, and shows an unusual haunting. The end is almost heartbreakingly sweet, but mostly tragic. One could take away from this that it's a weird metaphor for the grieving process, while never forgetting that it's a story. I absolutely loved all the theology detail in “Talitha Cumi” by Chesya Burke. This line feels like a Burke thesis statement: "It wanted what everyone wanted from her: to witness her suffering." “The Shape of Her Soul” by Michelle Belanger was compelling with interesting worldbuilding.
There’s something here for everyone, so this anthology is quite worth your time.
The story I found most surprising was “The Curious Story of Susan Styles: A Psychical Romance” written in 1893 by Catherine Lord. Fascinating that a published story of that era would be so open about infelicities and murder. This almost has a penny dreadful feel to its gruesome detail. Also, I’m pretty well read on public domain authors, and this was my first encounter with Catherine Lord. I look forward to more.
Probably my favorite story of the bunch was “American Remake of a Japanese Ghost Story” by Laird Barron. Lush wordplay, excellent worldbuilding, delightful metacommentary, great monster. “The Bone Eater” by Lee Murray was a story of a Maori on the lowest rungs of society helping restless spirits find peace at the end of it all. A ton of heart in this story. “The One Word I Can't Say” by S. P. Miskowski inhabits the theme of mediums nicely, and shows an unusual haunting. The end is almost heartbreakingly sweet, but mostly tragic. One could take away from this that it's a weird metaphor for the grieving process, while never forgetting that it's a story. I absolutely loved all the theology detail in “Talitha Cumi” by Chesya Burke. This line feels like a Burke thesis statement: "It wanted what everyone wanted from her: to witness her suffering." “The Shape of Her Soul” by Michelle Belanger was compelling with interesting worldbuilding.
There’s something here for everyone, so this anthology is quite worth your time.
November 24, 2021
A big thank you to Sadie Hartmann for providing me with a copy of this book for review.
I thoroughly enjoyed every story in this anthology of spiritualism horror. They all hit the mark for me. Most had a hair-raising aspect to them, and many had rich emotional depth.
Here are my favourites from this book:
"The Marble Lily" by Kathe Koja - It read like a classic, gothic horror story you'd expect from Edgar Allan Poe or Robert Louis Stevenson, where your heart makes its way up into your throat as you reach the end.
"The Bone Eater" by Lee Murray - Such an interesting, sad, and beautiful tale of a Māori man seeking to learn how to utilize his spiritual gift.
"Knock Three Times" by Seanan McGuire - A woman making a living in spiritualism has authentic gifts that allow her to see the dead, including her dead mother with whom she frequently consults. A line in this story felt worth quoting in its unique splendor, "The dead were often fascinated by decay and growth, and found the ongoing aging of their living relations a true enchantment. When she conveyed messages of praise and admiration for the living from the dead, they were always entirely sincere. As long as you still drew breath, you were beautiful to them."
"The Shape of Her Soul" by Michelle Belanger - An incredibly touching hit for me. A couple find themselves haunted by what they think is a demon. The main character, a spiritualist who can see and feel ghosts, learns the painful and alienating truth about this specter. This one had another quote-worthy moment I loved about what we become when we leave our corporeal realm, "We are our feelings, our memories, our dreams. That is all a spirit sees."
This is a book that is well worth your time if spiritualism fascinates and entertains you. There is a ton of humanity to behold and enjoy here, so even if you don't believe in a spirit world or afterlife, you will absolutely believe in these stories of people seeking answers, both lost, and found.
I thoroughly enjoyed every story in this anthology of spiritualism horror. They all hit the mark for me. Most had a hair-raising aspect to them, and many had rich emotional depth.
Here are my favourites from this book:
"The Marble Lily" by Kathe Koja - It read like a classic, gothic horror story you'd expect from Edgar Allan Poe or Robert Louis Stevenson, where your heart makes its way up into your throat as you reach the end.
"The Bone Eater" by Lee Murray - Such an interesting, sad, and beautiful tale of a Māori man seeking to learn how to utilize his spiritual gift.
"Knock Three Times" by Seanan McGuire - A woman making a living in spiritualism has authentic gifts that allow her to see the dead, including her dead mother with whom she frequently consults. A line in this story felt worth quoting in its unique splendor, "The dead were often fascinated by decay and growth, and found the ongoing aging of their living relations a true enchantment. When she conveyed messages of praise and admiration for the living from the dead, they were always entirely sincere. As long as you still drew breath, you were beautiful to them."
"The Shape of Her Soul" by Michelle Belanger - An incredibly touching hit for me. A couple find themselves haunted by what they think is a demon. The main character, a spiritualist who can see and feel ghosts, learns the painful and alienating truth about this specter. This one had another quote-worthy moment I loved about what we become when we leave our corporeal realm, "We are our feelings, our memories, our dreams. That is all a spirit sees."
This is a book that is well worth your time if spiritualism fascinates and entertains you. There is a ton of humanity to behold and enjoy here, so even if you don't believe in a spirit world or afterlife, you will absolutely believe in these stories of people seeking answers, both lost, and found.
September 3, 2022
THERE IS NO DEATH, THERE ARE NO DEAD – Dark Horror Fiction Anthology
Edited by Aaron J. French & Jess Landry
‘There Is No Death, There Are No Dead is a horror anthology that tackles all aspects of the spiritualist movement: from the true believers to the nay-sayers, the hoaxes to hauntings, the real mediums to the scam artists. From ghosts to possessions, from profound loss to insurmountable grief, these short stories explore limitless genres (historical fiction, Gaslamp mystery, modern horror, and everything in between) with a diverse cast of characters challenged at every corner.’
My Favorites:
‘HAUNT ME’ – by Gemma Files
‘THE HAPPY MEDIUM’ – by Helen Marshall
‘THE MARBLE LILY’ – by Kathe Koja
‘THE BONE EATER’ – by Lee Murray – Love This One!
‘A FEATHER FOR MRS. EDMOND’ – by David Demchuk – Creepy Good!
‘MEETING KATIE KING’ – by Lisa Morton – Whoa—That Ending! I had my hopes set for a Christmas Carol-esk ending, wherein the main character not only sees the light but… (hehe, no spoilers).
‘THE MAD MONK OF THE MOTOR CITY’ – by Gwendolyn Kiste – Love This One!
‘THE ONE WORD I CAN’T SAY’ – by S. P. Miskowski
‘TALITHA CUMI’ – by Chesya Burke – That Was Good!
‘TRUE LOVE WAITS’ – by Nadia Bulkin – Love This One!
‘THE SHAPE OF HER SOUL’ – by Michelle Belanger – My Heart!
‘AMERICAN REMAKE OF A JAPANESE GHOST STORY’ – by Laird Barron – Love This One! Look up the Japanese Mythology and Folklore this story is based on—Creepy Good!
Thank you, Crystal Lake Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of THERE IS NO DEATH, THERE ARE NO DEAD at the request of an honest review.
Edited by Aaron J. French & Jess Landry
‘There Is No Death, There Are No Dead is a horror anthology that tackles all aspects of the spiritualist movement: from the true believers to the nay-sayers, the hoaxes to hauntings, the real mediums to the scam artists. From ghosts to possessions, from profound loss to insurmountable grief, these short stories explore limitless genres (historical fiction, Gaslamp mystery, modern horror, and everything in between) with a diverse cast of characters challenged at every corner.’
My Favorites:
‘HAUNT ME’ – by Gemma Files
‘THE HAPPY MEDIUM’ – by Helen Marshall
‘THE MARBLE LILY’ – by Kathe Koja
‘THE BONE EATER’ – by Lee Murray – Love This One!
‘A FEATHER FOR MRS. EDMOND’ – by David Demchuk – Creepy Good!
‘MEETING KATIE KING’ – by Lisa Morton – Whoa—That Ending! I had my hopes set for a Christmas Carol-esk ending, wherein the main character not only sees the light but… (hehe, no spoilers).
‘THE MAD MONK OF THE MOTOR CITY’ – by Gwendolyn Kiste – Love This One!
‘THE ONE WORD I CAN’T SAY’ – by S. P. Miskowski
‘TALITHA CUMI’ – by Chesya Burke – That Was Good!
‘TRUE LOVE WAITS’ – by Nadia Bulkin – Love This One!
‘THE SHAPE OF HER SOUL’ – by Michelle Belanger – My Heart!
‘AMERICAN REMAKE OF A JAPANESE GHOST STORY’ – by Laird Barron – Love This One! Look up the Japanese Mythology and Folklore this story is based on—Creepy Good!
Thank you, Crystal Lake Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of THERE IS NO DEATH, THERE ARE NO DEAD at the request of an honest review.
August 26, 2021
An anthology of fourteen stories, each stunning, inspired by the Spiritualism Movement of the latter 19th Century. I say "stunning, " because each one contains the metaphorical impact of a sledgehammer to the soul. After each I had to pause to ponder, and each story of course has taken up residence in my head. Open your mind to these fourteen acclaimed authors, and witness your imagination expand.
October 1, 2021
Spooky!
Don't read this anthology alone in the dark in a strange place unless you want nightmares! This is a very excellent anthology with award winning magicians of spook! Each story draws on different aspects of spiritualism, making each story unique I have such a weakness for ghost stories and this collection was a delight to read. Fans of scary ghost stories and supernatural horror are in for a treat with this anthology! I was thrilled to find this anthology on Kindle Unlimited.
I am also posting this review on my blog: http://glamorousbookgal.blogspot.com/...
Don't read this anthology alone in the dark in a strange place unless you want nightmares! This is a very excellent anthology with award winning magicians of spook! Each story draws on different aspects of spiritualism, making each story unique I have such a weakness for ghost stories and this collection was a delight to read. Fans of scary ghost stories and supernatural horror are in for a treat with this anthology! I was thrilled to find this anthology on Kindle Unlimited.
I am also posting this review on my blog: http://glamorousbookgal.blogspot.com/...
December 21, 2021
I have given this 3 stars but would give two stories 4 or even 5. I'm now following Gemma Files and Gwendolyn Kiste. 'Haunt Me' was definitely a 5 star for me.... the writing, the concept, the humour and the energy of this blew my tiny spooked mind. And 'The Mad Monk of the Motor City' tapped into my unhealthy obsession with Rasputin and his doings. Lots of fun, and almost spine tingly (it takes a lot for my spine to proper tingle). I can't wait to read more of these authors.
For the rest, some were a bit meh, and some were OK but could have been better with a bit more atmosphere, but short stories have by definition to get on with it, so perhaps I'm being unfair. Anyway, fellow spookers, this is certainly worth a read.
For the rest, some were a bit meh, and some were OK but could have been better with a bit more atmosphere, but short stories have by definition to get on with it, so perhaps I'm being unfair. Anyway, fellow spookers, this is certainly worth a read.
Read
September 8, 2021Good, consistent collection with a really well-thought-out theme!
September 4, 2021
Terrifically fun, sometimes scary, almost always well written anthology of ghost stories.
Spiritualism: a religious belief centering on communicating with the spirits of the dead, often through séances, particularly prevalent in the mid-19th to early 20th centuries.
Each story in this anthology touches on that theme, sometimes more directly than others. It’s unusual for me to like almost every story in an anthology as much as I did the stories herein. There was only one I didn’t get on with, but I could still be pressed to say it’s probably well written. Standouts for me were Gemma Files’ “Haunt Me,” David Demchuk’s “A Feather for Mrs. Edmond,” Lisa Morton’s “Meeting Katie King,” and S.P. Miskowski’s “The One Word I Can’t Say.” I was exceedingly pleased the editors (Jess Landry and Aaron French) included a story (Lord) from the heyday of spiritualism so we could get a taste of how an author back then wrote a tale. This was a welcome and surprising touch. This is one anthology you want to pick up.
HAUNT ME by Gemma Files - 5 stars
THE HAPPY MEDIUM by Helen Marshall - 4 stars
THE MARBLE LILY by Kathe Koja- 4 stars
THE BONE EATER by Lee Murray - 4 stars
A FEATHER FOR MRS. EDMOND by David Demchuk - 4.5 stars
MEETING KATIE KING by Lisa Morton - 5 stars
THE MAD MONK OF THE MOTOR CITY by Gwendolyn Kiste - 4 stars
THE ONE WORD I CAN’T SAY by S.P. Miskowski - 5 stars
KNOCK THREE TIMES by Seanan McGuire - 2 stars
THE CURIOUS STORY OF SUSAN STYLES by Catherine Lord - 4.25 stars
TALITHA CUMI by Chesya Burke - 4 stars
TRUE LOVE WAITS by Nadia Bulkin - 4 stars
THE SHAPE OF HER SOUL by Michelle Belanger - 3.75 stars
AMERICAN REMAKE OF A JAPANESE GHOST STORY by Laird Barron - 4 stars.
Spiritualism: a religious belief centering on communicating with the spirits of the dead, often through séances, particularly prevalent in the mid-19th to early 20th centuries.
Each story in this anthology touches on that theme, sometimes more directly than others. It’s unusual for me to like almost every story in an anthology as much as I did the stories herein. There was only one I didn’t get on with, but I could still be pressed to say it’s probably well written. Standouts for me were Gemma Files’ “Haunt Me,” David Demchuk’s “A Feather for Mrs. Edmond,” Lisa Morton’s “Meeting Katie King,” and S.P. Miskowski’s “The One Word I Can’t Say.” I was exceedingly pleased the editors (Jess Landry and Aaron French) included a story (Lord) from the heyday of spiritualism so we could get a taste of how an author back then wrote a tale. This was a welcome and surprising touch. This is one anthology you want to pick up.
HAUNT ME by Gemma Files - 5 stars
THE HAPPY MEDIUM by Helen Marshall - 4 stars
THE MARBLE LILY by Kathe Koja- 4 stars
THE BONE EATER by Lee Murray - 4 stars
A FEATHER FOR MRS. EDMOND by David Demchuk - 4.5 stars
MEETING KATIE KING by Lisa Morton - 5 stars
THE MAD MONK OF THE MOTOR CITY by Gwendolyn Kiste - 4 stars
THE ONE WORD I CAN’T SAY by S.P. Miskowski - 5 stars
KNOCK THREE TIMES by Seanan McGuire - 2 stars
THE CURIOUS STORY OF SUSAN STYLES by Catherine Lord - 4.25 stars
TALITHA CUMI by Chesya Burke - 4 stars
TRUE LOVE WAITS by Nadia Bulkin - 4 stars
THE SHAPE OF HER SOUL by Michelle Belanger - 3.75 stars
AMERICAN REMAKE OF A JAPANESE GHOST STORY by Laird Barron - 4 stars.
August 27, 2021
Crystal Lake Publishing publish some of the best horror anthologies I’ve ever read – Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories is a particular favourite. Like Gutted, There is No Death, There Are No Dead combines elements of melancholy, terror, grief and even humour within the collection.
Each piece is unique, written and edited beautifully. Stories of the haunted, spirits and mediums – fake and the real deal – are shared with the reader. I loved not knowing what next treat lay in store for me. I read these tales in two sittings, but a reader could dip in and out of this short story collection; this is the beauty of short fiction.
The tales range from sinister with black humour in A FEATHER FOR MRS. EDMOND by David Demchuk, to the heart-wrenching MEETING KATIE KING by Lisa Morton. Past and present collide in an unsettling story from Gwendolyn Kiste, THE MAD MONK OF THE MOTOR CITY.
Laird Barron’s AMERICAN REMAKE OF A JAPANESE GHOST STORY is a dark tale of revenge and final girls. THE SHAPE OF HER SOUL by Michelle Belanger was haunting and sad, proof that one can never escape their secrets, even in death.
THE ONE WORD I CAN’T SAY from S. P. Miskowski was the story that struck the biggest chord for me. A story of siblings separated from death – it may have made me blink back a few tears.
These are only a snapshot of the stories in There is No Death, There Are No Dead. I highly encourage you to read it yourself and let me know if the spirits speak to you too.
To conclude, this was another excellent anthology from Crystal Lake Publishing. I already cannot wait for their next one!
Each piece is unique, written and edited beautifully. Stories of the haunted, spirits and mediums – fake and the real deal – are shared with the reader. I loved not knowing what next treat lay in store for me. I read these tales in two sittings, but a reader could dip in and out of this short story collection; this is the beauty of short fiction.
The tales range from sinister with black humour in A FEATHER FOR MRS. EDMOND by David Demchuk, to the heart-wrenching MEETING KATIE KING by Lisa Morton. Past and present collide in an unsettling story from Gwendolyn Kiste, THE MAD MONK OF THE MOTOR CITY.
Laird Barron’s AMERICAN REMAKE OF A JAPANESE GHOST STORY is a dark tale of revenge and final girls. THE SHAPE OF HER SOUL by Michelle Belanger was haunting and sad, proof that one can never escape their secrets, even in death.
THE ONE WORD I CAN’T SAY from S. P. Miskowski was the story that struck the biggest chord for me. A story of siblings separated from death – it may have made me blink back a few tears.
These are only a snapshot of the stories in There is No Death, There Are No Dead. I highly encourage you to read it yourself and let me know if the spirits speak to you too.
To conclude, this was another excellent anthology from Crystal Lake Publishing. I already cannot wait for their next one!
October 24, 2021
I received a gifted copy of ‘There is no death, there are no dead’ in return for my honest review. I have only just started reading some horror short stories, and this collection sounded another great one to read.
This anthology is a collection of short horror stories based around spiritualism, from a variety of authors. The stories all have a character that have abilities that mean they can talk to or see spirits, but they all deal with the subject in a different way.
My favourite: The Shape of her Soul
The Most Shocking: A Feather for Mrs Edmond
The Most Scary: Meeting Katie King
I loved reading this anthology as having lots of short stories together was fun to read, and they were all so different from each other. Some set a long time ago, others very current and even mentioning COVID 19.
I also like how they were all linked around the same theme of mediums and speaking to the dead, although again all in completely different ways.
I would say that I found these stories to be more shocking than scary, but still a great read, especially for this Halloween month.
Overall, a creepy anthology of spiritualism short stories which will shock and leave you with an eerie feeling.
This anthology is a collection of short horror stories based around spiritualism, from a variety of authors. The stories all have a character that have abilities that mean they can talk to or see spirits, but they all deal with the subject in a different way.
My favourite: The Shape of her Soul
The Most Shocking: A Feather for Mrs Edmond
The Most Scary: Meeting Katie King
I loved reading this anthology as having lots of short stories together was fun to read, and they were all so different from each other. Some set a long time ago, others very current and even mentioning COVID 19.
I also like how they were all linked around the same theme of mediums and speaking to the dead, although again all in completely different ways.
I would say that I found these stories to be more shocking than scary, but still a great read, especially for this Halloween month.
Overall, a creepy anthology of spiritualism short stories which will shock and leave you with an eerie feeling.
May 29, 2022
Wonderful Anthology
This is a very solid collection of horror tales involving the dead. I was somewhat surprisingly impressed with the level of writing and unique perspectives and particularly enjoyed Gemma File's story Haunt Me and Michelle Belanger's The Shape of Her Soul which I found quite affecting.
This is a very solid collection of horror tales involving the dead. I was somewhat surprisingly impressed with the level of writing and unique perspectives and particularly enjoyed Gemma File's story Haunt Me and Michelle Belanger's The Shape of Her Soul which I found quite affecting.
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August 6, 2022Read for the British Fantasy Society Best Anthology Award 2022
January 18, 2022
There are some truly phenomenal stories in this collection. Would definitely recommend.
December 6, 2021
Do you believe in ghosts?
I’ll just put it out there that I definitely believe in it all. Ghosts, aliens, the Loch Ness monster 👹. I think it’s this ultimate desire to believe in a world that’s bigger and more mysterious. Of other worlds. Other realms.
The idea of being visited by spirits is both fascinating and terrifying. So when I saw there was a collection of spiritualist horror out I needed to check it out. Give me all of the seances, summonings and hauntings please!
Favorites stories were:
“The Marble Lily” - Kathe Koja (a janitor’s obsession with a perfect corpse)
“The Bone Eater” - Lee Murray (our Maori lead gets a calling to help guide some wayward spirits home)
“A Feather for Mrs. Edmond” - David Demchuk (be careful which spirits you bring to the table)
“Knock Three Times” - Seanan McGuire (a young spiritualist tries to gain a mentor)
“The Shape of Her Soul” - Michelle Belanger (a family tries to banish a demon from their house)
Overall the collection has a lot of fun ideas, but I found the stories to be a little uneven, with a few stories that seemed overly complex for how short they were.
Thank you to Crystal Lake Publishing for an ARC of this title.
3.5 rounded up
I’ll just put it out there that I definitely believe in it all. Ghosts, aliens, the Loch Ness monster 👹. I think it’s this ultimate desire to believe in a world that’s bigger and more mysterious. Of other worlds. Other realms.
The idea of being visited by spirits is both fascinating and terrifying. So when I saw there was a collection of spiritualist horror out I needed to check it out. Give me all of the seances, summonings and hauntings please!
Favorites stories were:
“The Marble Lily” - Kathe Koja (a janitor’s obsession with a perfect corpse)
“The Bone Eater” - Lee Murray (our Maori lead gets a calling to help guide some wayward spirits home)
“A Feather for Mrs. Edmond” - David Demchuk (be careful which spirits you bring to the table)
“Knock Three Times” - Seanan McGuire (a young spiritualist tries to gain a mentor)
“The Shape of Her Soul” - Michelle Belanger (a family tries to banish a demon from their house)
Overall the collection has a lot of fun ideas, but I found the stories to be a little uneven, with a few stories that seemed overly complex for how short they were.
Thank you to Crystal Lake Publishing for an ARC of this title.
3.5 rounded up
November 7, 2022
A wonderfully morbid little collection. The Shape of Her Soul by Michelle Belanger was a particular delight to read.
February 28, 2022
This has to be one of the finest offerings from the 'Darkest Depths' of Crystal Lake Publishing, that I have been privileged to read. As someone who has had a life-long interest in Spiritualism (my late maternal Grandfather was a Spiritualist Healer, so it's kind of in my blood!) I relished the thought of finding this collection, and I have loved every single story.
There are some superbly talented authors gathered here, just waiting to take you by the hand, and lead you 'beyond the veil'... But don't worry, this isn't your usual cliche collection of predictable Victorian-era tales, when Spiritualism swept the world as a craze, there are some of the most refreshing, different, and utterly enthralling angles peering into the often misunderstood world of the Spiritualist here, just waiting to delight and intrigue you.
Yes, there are superbly satisfying vignettes, with table rapping, tambourine rattling, ectoplasm frothing psychics, but there are also some wonderfully different takes on the genre, that really, REALLY do need to be enjoyed by as wide an audience as possible. Any fan of the weird and wonderful, who has an interest in what may be beyond the realms of 'life' and 'death' as we sometimes perceive them, will love this collection. It has some of the most thrilling, lovely, poignant and absolutely terrifying stories of what may await us when we leave this world, and of those who can connect with the shades of the now deceased, that I have ever had the pleasure to read.
I urge every reader of the paranormal to dip into this amazing collection. As with everything else I have read from Crystal Lake Publishing, the emphasis is on quality writing, and this book holds some of the finest tales in its genre that I have ever encountered.
Read it, too, and share in the mysteries of the dead who still need to communicate with the living. I am so glad I did.
There are some superbly talented authors gathered here, just waiting to take you by the hand, and lead you 'beyond the veil'... But don't worry, this isn't your usual cliche collection of predictable Victorian-era tales, when Spiritualism swept the world as a craze, there are some of the most refreshing, different, and utterly enthralling angles peering into the often misunderstood world of the Spiritualist here, just waiting to delight and intrigue you.
Yes, there are superbly satisfying vignettes, with table rapping, tambourine rattling, ectoplasm frothing psychics, but there are also some wonderfully different takes on the genre, that really, REALLY do need to be enjoyed by as wide an audience as possible. Any fan of the weird and wonderful, who has an interest in what may be beyond the realms of 'life' and 'death' as we sometimes perceive them, will love this collection. It has some of the most thrilling, lovely, poignant and absolutely terrifying stories of what may await us when we leave this world, and of those who can connect with the shades of the now deceased, that I have ever had the pleasure to read.
I urge every reader of the paranormal to dip into this amazing collection. As with everything else I have read from Crystal Lake Publishing, the emphasis is on quality writing, and this book holds some of the finest tales in its genre that I have ever encountered.
Read it, too, and share in the mysteries of the dead who still need to communicate with the living. I am so glad I did.
October 19, 2021
Extremely disappointing. A lot of really good authors, but mostly mediocre stories.
February 17, 2022
Its first two stories are strong, with their own charm that endeared me to the collection's potential. Mystery, of the trope-y X-Files satisfaction, and twists of modern convention that highlight an all new commercialism to spiritualism. Both of our first two protagonists are "working" a gig, but it's bound to their soul and everyone that's left behind. There's a capitalist realism angle there that I adored - hauntology at the ready.
I think having just read The Cipher last year, Koja's story here felt sufficient and accomplished but without the cutting-edge that had left me marked from her novel.
Of most note to me, S.P. Miskowski's The One Word I Can't Say, Bulkin's True Love Waits, and Barron's closing story American Remake of a Japanese Ghsot Story. These are stories that leave me inspired as much as with notions of what haunts me. I'm not sure I had ever considered the cinematic potential for (view spoiler). It's the longing, comedy, and urge to release, in combination, that will stick with me from two of those.
I think having just read The Cipher last year, Koja's story here felt sufficient and accomplished but without the cutting-edge that had left me marked from her novel.
Of most note to me, S.P. Miskowski's The One Word I Can't Say, Bulkin's True Love Waits, and Barron's closing story American Remake of a Japanese Ghsot Story. These are stories that leave me inspired as much as with notions of what haunts me. I'm not sure I had ever considered the cinematic potential for (view spoiler). It's the longing, comedy, and urge to release, in combination, that will stick with me from two of those.
February 23, 2022
Very interesting
Some really great stories and many not s
o great. I didn't find any new authors that I have to know now. Just the 1 I came in knowing.
Some really great stories and many not s
o great. I didn't find any new authors that I have to know now. Just the 1 I came in knowing.
August 27, 2021
In the interests of full disclosure, I backed this campaign project. I’ve always had an interests in spiritualism and the occult, and it’s a fascinating subject.
This anthology includes fourteen stories surrounding the dead; be they spirits, ghosts, hauntings or omens, the dead reign here.
The authors are among the finest and talented horror or supernatural authors working in the industry today, apart from Catherine Lord who suitably passed away around a century ago.
Lisa Morton’s place in this anthology is no surprise, after all she is one of the foremost experts in the study of spiritualism and its history. So I was particularly delighted by her story, ‘Meeting Katie King’, which features a few famous Victorian guest stars and a not to a famous ghost story.
There are two many stories to review each one, however, my hi-lights include Lee Murray’s story based around Maori mythology, ‘The Bone Eater’, which speaks of indigenous pain, erasure and the afterlife. Laird Barron’s ‘American Remake of A Japanese Ghost Story’ rewrites the ‘final girl’, you have a ‘mad monk’ in Gwendolyn Kiste’s often funny story. Speaking of funny, the sister in ‘The One Word I can’t Say’ by S. P. Miskowski is a hoot, yet the story still retains a darkness.
All of the stories are top notch, but again I loved the mythology behind Talitha Cumi by Chesya Burke, the historical importance of ‘Knock Three Times’ by Seanan McGuire but my favourite story overall was the sweet, poignant and painful ‘The Shape of Her Soul’ by Michelle Belanger. It’s simply a beautiful story that moved me.
There are no duff stories in this anthology.
It’s simply a terrific, haunting, funny, sad anthology that I predict we will see on many award shortlists.
Superb.
This anthology includes fourteen stories surrounding the dead; be they spirits, ghosts, hauntings or omens, the dead reign here.
The authors are among the finest and talented horror or supernatural authors working in the industry today, apart from Catherine Lord who suitably passed away around a century ago.
Lisa Morton’s place in this anthology is no surprise, after all she is one of the foremost experts in the study of spiritualism and its history. So I was particularly delighted by her story, ‘Meeting Katie King’, which features a few famous Victorian guest stars and a not to a famous ghost story.
There are two many stories to review each one, however, my hi-lights include Lee Murray’s story based around Maori mythology, ‘The Bone Eater’, which speaks of indigenous pain, erasure and the afterlife. Laird Barron’s ‘American Remake of A Japanese Ghost Story’ rewrites the ‘final girl’, you have a ‘mad monk’ in Gwendolyn Kiste’s often funny story. Speaking of funny, the sister in ‘The One Word I can’t Say’ by S. P. Miskowski is a hoot, yet the story still retains a darkness.
All of the stories are top notch, but again I loved the mythology behind Talitha Cumi by Chesya Burke, the historical importance of ‘Knock Three Times’ by Seanan McGuire but my favourite story overall was the sweet, poignant and painful ‘The Shape of Her Soul’ by Michelle Belanger. It’s simply a beautiful story that moved me.
There are no duff stories in this anthology.
It’s simply a terrific, haunting, funny, sad anthology that I predict we will see on many award shortlists.
Superb.
November 29, 2021
This anthology tackles spiritualism and people who bridge the veil between life and death. It also features some of the best authors working in dark fiction today. It really has a stellar lineup, and if you don’t know who all of the writers are, then this is a great introduction to some remarkable talent. As with most anthologies, it was highly influenced by my personal taste and not every story landed right or hit me as hard as others. My favorites were:
Haunt Me by Gemma Files, a story of a medium for whom each encounter with a ghost is traumatic on both a mental and physical level. This was a rough emotional ride but well worth it, and I found the ending deeply touching.
Lee Murray’s The Bone Eater hits hard with a poignant tale of a starving man who gains the ability to restore the souls of the victims of a massacre and lead them to a place of peace.
Perhaps the oddest and most intriguing of the bunch, Gwendolyne Kiste’s The Mad Monk of Motor City has Rasputin haunting the rooms and hallways of a Detroit apartment building and uses the ghost to personify the forces trapping the main character in her unhappy life.
S.P. Miskowski is great at creating morally gray characters, and in The One Word I Can’t Say, she gives us a woman willing to do anything to rid herself of the ghost of her sister. At turns humorous and tragic, it ultimately drives home the point that grief isn’t something we can choose to be done with.
This anthology is a lovely study of many aspects of our relationships with those who have passed to the beyond and are definitely worth your time.
Haunt Me by Gemma Files, a story of a medium for whom each encounter with a ghost is traumatic on both a mental and physical level. This was a rough emotional ride but well worth it, and I found the ending deeply touching.
Lee Murray’s The Bone Eater hits hard with a poignant tale of a starving man who gains the ability to restore the souls of the victims of a massacre and lead them to a place of peace.
Perhaps the oddest and most intriguing of the bunch, Gwendolyne Kiste’s The Mad Monk of Motor City has Rasputin haunting the rooms and hallways of a Detroit apartment building and uses the ghost to personify the forces trapping the main character in her unhappy life.
S.P. Miskowski is great at creating morally gray characters, and in The One Word I Can’t Say, she gives us a woman willing to do anything to rid herself of the ghost of her sister. At turns humorous and tragic, it ultimately drives home the point that grief isn’t something we can choose to be done with.
This anthology is a lovely study of many aspects of our relationships with those who have passed to the beyond and are definitely worth your time.
October 8, 2022
Very solid anthology! Everything was readable and enjoyable, though at times the theme of spiritualism could get a little "samey". That said, there were some great standouts. For me, those were:
The Happy Medium by Helen Marshall - quite a wacky but heartfelt story about an actual medium who works at some sort of dystopian psychic theme park, costumed like a cast member at Disney. Interesting story, and had an impression of a whole world behind it.
The Mad Monk of the Motor City by Gwendolyne Kiste - my favourite of the anthology, a story about Rasputin haunting a crumbling Detroit apartment. Weird again, and I loved it.
True Love Waits by Nadia Bulkin - a creepy and haunting piece about a reporter getting in to deep with a mysterious source
The Shape of Her Soul by Michelle Belanger - I was expecting this to feel "samey" to some of the others as it started that way, but then it took its own unique turn. Not only did I get some creep factor throughout (for supernatural and human reasons), it ended on such a heartfelt note that I was tearing up.
Overall, this was a good anthology!
The Happy Medium by Helen Marshall - quite a wacky but heartfelt story about an actual medium who works at some sort of dystopian psychic theme park, costumed like a cast member at Disney. Interesting story, and had an impression of a whole world behind it.
The Mad Monk of the Motor City by Gwendolyne Kiste - my favourite of the anthology, a story about Rasputin haunting a crumbling Detroit apartment. Weird again, and I loved it.
True Love Waits by Nadia Bulkin - a creepy and haunting piece about a reporter getting in to deep with a mysterious source
The Shape of Her Soul by Michelle Belanger - I was expecting this to feel "samey" to some of the others as it started that way, but then it took its own unique turn. Not only did I get some creep factor throughout (for supernatural and human reasons), it ended on such a heartfelt note that I was tearing up.
Overall, this was a good anthology!
June 30, 2023
Calling on the dead. Good one! In fiction, this is a subgenre that most horror and supernatural lovers love to read. As “tales” of spiritualism horror go, this anthology is from highly acclaimed authors, admired for their quality dark fiction. I found even the Table of Contents to be inviting like “Haunt Me” by Gemma Files, “The Bone Eater” by Lee Murray, and “The Shape of Her Soul” by Michelle Belanger who in real life owns a haunted B&B—and they deliver cunning suspense and fascination. A few reminded me of the famous 1800s psychic Fox Sisters from Hydesville, New York, and their knocking games with the devilish Mr. Spitfoot. The stories here have a vintage flair, especially “Knock Three Times” by Seanan McGuire, which was the winner for me. I read one story each night before turning off the light. Haunting me for sure. Paula Cappa is an avid book reviewer and an award-winning supernatural mystery author of novels and short stories.
October 13, 2023
This anthology worked well. Each story, whether I personally liked it or not, had a good eerie, unsettling mood and atmosphere. This was a good collection. The ones that I enjoyed most were:
“The Happy Medium” by Helen Marshall. This one especially, had a sense of ambiguity there. It felt almost “sticky.” The spookiness was tangible. You really felt that nothing was ever really gone.
“Talitha Cumi” by Chesya Burke really spoke to the traumatised child in me. A mother who trivialised her daughter’s chronic pain and suffering, preached to her to be proud of it as a virtue with the excuse of religion. Would I make the same choice as Talitha in the story so as to walk pain-free for life? Ha. In a heartbeat.
Also highly enjoyable were “The Marble Lily,” “The Bone Eater,” “The Mad Monk Of The Motor City” and “American Remake Of A Japanese Ghost Story.” That last one was almost… cute.
“The Happy Medium” by Helen Marshall. This one especially, had a sense of ambiguity there. It felt almost “sticky.” The spookiness was tangible. You really felt that nothing was ever really gone.
“Talitha Cumi” by Chesya Burke really spoke to the traumatised child in me. A mother who trivialised her daughter’s chronic pain and suffering, preached to her to be proud of it as a virtue with the excuse of religion. Would I make the same choice as Talitha in the story so as to walk pain-free for life? Ha. In a heartbeat.
Also highly enjoyable were “The Marble Lily,” “The Bone Eater,” “The Mad Monk Of The Motor City” and “American Remake Of A Japanese Ghost Story.” That last one was almost… cute.
January 17, 2022
Favorite stories: Gemma Files’ “Haunt Me” and Gwendolyn Kiste's "The Mad Monk of the Motor City."
June 28, 2023
For Laird Barron's “American Remake of a Japanese Ghost Story” as artfully rendered by Kaitlyn Zivanovich on PseudoPod
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