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Coming Up Short
A husband and wife find themselves repeating the same scene over and over as something large looms in the sky above them.
An old woman who takes care of her Alzheimer’s inflicted husband is exasperated when she realizes he believes that his mother is at their front door. Her mother-in-law, who has been dead for many years. She wants to show him he’s wrong, however, opening the door to prove it to him is a bad idea. Something is waiting for them, lurking in the fog beyond the safety of their home.
Two teenaged boys spend a Saturday together, but a practical joke they play gets out of hand. When they seriously injure a girl from their school, going on the run seems the only way out of trouble. When they enter a door inside a deserted department store, they find that they have moved a million miles from home with someone who has revenge on her mind.
Coming Up Short is a collection of 10 tales of the macabre by the author of the award winning Within the Fog series.
Warning: These stories will keep you awake, nervously chewing at your fingernails, cringing at every little creak of your home. Our reality may not be what you have been led to believe.
An old woman who takes care of her Alzheimer’s inflicted husband is exasperated when she realizes he believes that his mother is at their front door. Her mother-in-law, who has been dead for many years. She wants to show him he’s wrong, however, opening the door to prove it to him is a bad idea. Something is waiting for them, lurking in the fog beyond the safety of their home.
Two teenaged boys spend a Saturday together, but a practical joke they play gets out of hand. When they seriously injure a girl from their school, going on the run seems the only way out of trouble. When they enter a door inside a deserted department store, they find that they have moved a million miles from home with someone who has revenge on her mind.
Coming Up Short is a collection of 10 tales of the macabre by the author of the award winning Within the Fog series.
Warning: These stories will keep you awake, nervously chewing at your fingernails, cringing at every little creak of your home. Our reality may not be what you have been led to believe.
426 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2022
About the author
Charles Welch
100 books47 followersCharles Welch has been a home designer and builder, a middle school and high school teacher, education administrator, corporate learning and development professional and writer, previously publishing the spiritual book Walking Softly. His formal education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science Teaching, a Master of Education in Learning and Technology, and an Educational Doctorate in eLearning.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 23, 2022
A bit of a mixed bag!
This book was somewhat like the proverbial curate's egg, something for everyone. I didn't enjoy the first couple of stories but, after that, they got better and better. All the stories were different in their own way and, to be fair, they all had an enjoyable twist at the end. A good read when travelling or waiting at the airport.
This book was somewhat like the proverbial curate's egg, something for everyone. I didn't enjoy the first couple of stories but, after that, they got better and better. All the stories were different in their own way and, to be fair, they all had an enjoyable twist at the end. A good read when travelling or waiting at the airport.
May 26, 2025
A fantastic collection of stories that are so unique and different. Each one will leave you wondering and wanting more. I had a few favorites, but enjoyed each one! Excited to read the second!!
July 16, 2024
This is an exceptional book. It took me a few days because I tend not to read horror after dark (yes I'm a chicken) turns out it wasn't scary enough to give me nightmares. It is very well written, keeps you interested even though it's short stories I wanted to plow right through. Some of course were better than others but all were good and at least creepy. My personal favorite is No Stars. Now I'm off to read Wicked Games...the first 23 pages are at the end of this book and I have to see what happens next
March 8, 2022
Phenomenal writing! I want everyone of these short stories to turn into books! Dr. Welch’s writing style is extremely pleasing to this horror fan. I loved every one of these stories(which can’t be said for most anthologies)! This is a must read for anyone that loves a good scary story that makes you think or allows you to dissolve into the story. Just awesome!! I received this book free for my honest review!
January 26, 2022
Must read for horror fans
I loved this book. It's really hard to find horror anthologies that have mostly good stories but this is definitely a hit. They reminded me of the Twilight Zone movies. If you love horror anthologies, you should read this. Highly w.
I loved this book. It's really hard to find horror anthologies that have mostly good stories but this is definitely a hit. They reminded me of the Twilight Zone movies. If you love horror anthologies, you should read this. Highly w.
January 19, 2022
GReat original short stories
Read the whole book in one go because I couldn't stop I had to see what was next. Original and thought provoking.
Read the whole book in one go because I couldn't stop I had to see what was next. Original and thought provoking.
January 20, 2022
Gotta Read More!!
Loved these stories!! I can’t wait to get more!! They are scary and the make you think and then I really got scared. Thanks!!
Loved these stories!! I can’t wait to get more!! They are scary and the make you think and then I really got scared. Thanks!!
June 13, 2025
I'm typically not much of a short story reader, but after reading this set of short stories I think I may actually add them into my rotation more often and give them a chance because while I do want more of the ones I enjoy, that's not particularly a bad problem to have.
I must say while diving into the short stories by Charles Welch, they did get stronger as I read one after another. There were 4 in here that particularly stuck out to me and I wish I had more of a drawn out story from because I was jiving and enjoying it.
'Listen to Me' I would read a whole novel from right at the accident to a slow descent to something is wrong with my wife, and is this her. This is such a fun concept!
'Infinity' is such a classic careful what you wish for, but I truly enjoyed this AND SPECIALLY how the favors worked out with this AI genie robot. This fulfilled what I want in this type of story more than the 'Lake of Favors' I felt that one a bit to rushed and fast moving to enjoy between the characters but the ending of it I enjoyed.
I also really enjoyed 'For Better or Worse' I just really liked the characters in this one, the setting along with a vampire tale.
Last but not least is '2056' this was fun an unique and I truly enjoyed it, had I read a blurb of it I probably would not have been interested BUT ACTUALLY reading it I did truly enjoy and have fun with this one as well. Talk about a grudge! haha
I must say while diving into the short stories by Charles Welch, they did get stronger as I read one after another. There were 4 in here that particularly stuck out to me and I wish I had more of a drawn out story from because I was jiving and enjoying it.
'Listen to Me' I would read a whole novel from right at the accident to a slow descent to something is wrong with my wife, and is this her. This is such a fun concept!
'Infinity' is such a classic careful what you wish for, but I truly enjoyed this AND SPECIALLY how the favors worked out with this AI genie robot. This fulfilled what I want in this type of story more than the 'Lake of Favors' I felt that one a bit to rushed and fast moving to enjoy between the characters but the ending of it I enjoyed.
I also really enjoyed 'For Better or Worse' I just really liked the characters in this one, the setting along with a vampire tale.
Last but not least is '2056' this was fun an unique and I truly enjoyed it, had I read a blurb of it I probably would not have been interested BUT ACTUALLY reading it I did truly enjoy and have fun with this one as well. Talk about a grudge! haha
January 12, 2026
"Ben, what does the Boogie Man look like?"
...
"Me. He looks like me." (from Boogie Man)
Coming Up Short is a collection of creative, and daunting, short horror stories.
I find myself still thinking about many of them after having finished the book!
I love the common thread tying them all together: Darkness in all its shapes and sizes.
During the day, the colors were vibrant amd beautiful. As the night awakened, the trees were swallowed in shadow and darkness. (from No Stars)
...
"Me. He looks like me." (from Boogie Man)
Coming Up Short is a collection of creative, and daunting, short horror stories.
I find myself still thinking about many of them after having finished the book!
I love the common thread tying them all together: Darkness in all its shapes and sizes.
During the day, the colors were vibrant amd beautiful. As the night awakened, the trees were swallowed in shadow and darkness. (from No Stars)
October 16, 2022
great read
I really enjoyed these stories, some were very spooky and some made me really think. I’m glad they weren’t all just blood and gore for no reason, on to the next Charles Welch book!
I really enjoyed these stories, some were very spooky and some made me really think. I’m glad they weren’t all just blood and gore for no reason, on to the next Charles Welch book!
July 12, 2023
great stories
Well written stories that get under your skin absolutely loved this anthology and definitely recommend it to everyone who loves a great spooky story
Well written stories that get under your skin absolutely loved this anthology and definitely recommend it to everyone who loves a great spooky story
August 24, 2023
Loved this collection of short stories
February 1, 2024
Brilliantly written stories
An excellent collection of short stories by a very good and talented author , one whom I was unaware of but took a chance and I am glad I did .
An excellent collection of short stories by a very good and talented author , one whom I was unaware of but took a chance and I am glad I did .
June 18, 2024
Descent suspenseful short stories written by Charles Welch.
July 2, 2024
Short and too the point
Short stories are great to read inbetween doing other stuff. These were entertaining and sometimes unexpected. I enjoyed most of them.
Short stories are great to read inbetween doing other stuff. These were entertaining and sometimes unexpected. I enjoyed most of them.
March 4, 2026
This is a 4.25 🌟 read rounded ⬇️ to 4 stars.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews