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Twisted Reveries III: More Tales of the Macabre
In Twisted Reveries 3, Bram Stoker Award nominated horror author Meg Hafdahl continues her twisted tradition of female-driven tales with a razor sharp bite. This third collection is steeped in the gothic and antique terrors of years past. Among an intriguing cast of characters, we meet a suffragette who has a sudden brush with telepathy; a deaf widow haunted by her own, devious past; and a young girl fixated on vanquishing the monster who killed her.
Travel into bygone eras and experience thirteen chilling stories that will undoubtedly make you question the shadowed, terrifying memories of the past.
Travel into bygone eras and experience thirteen chilling stories that will undoubtedly make you question the shadowed, terrifying memories of the past.
185 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 4, 2022
‘It was only her and the dead’ and ghosts! – More horror tales to keep the light on
Minnesota author Meg Hafdahl writes horror and suspense stories that have been included in anthologies as well as her own short story collections, novels, and series – The Willoughby Chronicles (three volumes) and Twisted Reveries - three volumes, of which this book is the third volume. She has also co-authored The Science of Monsters, The Science of Women in Horror, The Science of Stephen King, and The Science of Serial Killers. Meg is the co-host of the podcast Horror Rewind.
Capitalizing on the current advances in feminine impact (#HerToo, #HerStory, #MeToo, etc), Meg’s stories are driven by strong women leads. Her prose is elegant and able to draw the reader into these thirteen suspense-filled, terrifying tales. An example from the first story – POISNOUS SIGHTS - set in Vermont in 1839 – validates her stature as a writer: ‘Outside, an angry wind scavenged dying leaves with a banshee’s wail, yet Myra Bartholomew did not hear it. She sat in her library in the velvet armchair of her deceased mother’s, a threadbare and rather hare backed piece of furniture, reading Tennyson’s ‘The Lady of Shalott’ by candlelight. The flame stuttered out its strange Morse code as Myra lost herself in the romantic realism…How she longed to hear nature again. Her loss of hearing was a relatively new ailment, yet her auditory memories were fading away...’ With that setting the stage for horror to come is set.
That is but one of the thirteen throbbing, pulsating tales that fill this fine collection. Meg Hafdahl has mastered the horror/macabre genre. She is most assuredly an artist of importance. Highly recommended.
Minnesota author Meg Hafdahl writes horror and suspense stories that have been included in anthologies as well as her own short story collections, novels, and series – The Willoughby Chronicles (three volumes) and Twisted Reveries - three volumes, of which this book is the third volume. She has also co-authored The Science of Monsters, The Science of Women in Horror, The Science of Stephen King, and The Science of Serial Killers. Meg is the co-host of the podcast Horror Rewind.
Capitalizing on the current advances in feminine impact (#HerToo, #HerStory, #MeToo, etc), Meg’s stories are driven by strong women leads. Her prose is elegant and able to draw the reader into these thirteen suspense-filled, terrifying tales. An example from the first story – POISNOUS SIGHTS - set in Vermont in 1839 – validates her stature as a writer: ‘Outside, an angry wind scavenged dying leaves with a banshee’s wail, yet Myra Bartholomew did not hear it. She sat in her library in the velvet armchair of her deceased mother’s, a threadbare and rather hare backed piece of furniture, reading Tennyson’s ‘The Lady of Shalott’ by candlelight. The flame stuttered out its strange Morse code as Myra lost herself in the romantic realism…How she longed to hear nature again. Her loss of hearing was a relatively new ailment, yet her auditory memories were fading away...’ With that setting the stage for horror to come is set.
That is but one of the thirteen throbbing, pulsating tales that fill this fine collection. Meg Hafdahl has mastered the horror/macabre genre. She is most assuredly an artist of importance. Highly recommended.
May 24, 2022
The Review
Immediately upon reading this book, I found myself transported to the era of gothic horror that jump-started my love of all things horror. The haunting atmosphere and the author’s natural ability to build tension in the evolving narratives made this collection of horror stories shine brightly. The author’s ability to conjure up strong imagery that brought out the contrast of beautiful settings set against the dark and cruel nature of the darkness each story held was incredible to behold.
One of the strongest aspects of this narrative and the overall collection was the use of strong female protagonists throughout the book. The exploration of themes such as feminism, LGBTQ romance, and more was greatly portrayed through these protagonists, especially set against the backdrop of the old stories of the past. One story, in particular, jumped out to me, with the narrative highlighting mankind’s ability to accept truly abhorrent and violent behavior and yet scoff and be disgusted by LGBTQ romance at its best, baffling the mind. The author's ability to traverse these prominent themes while also entertaining and scaring the reader is truly amazing.
The Verdict
Haunting, shocking, and entertaining, author Meg Hafdahl’s “Twisted Reveries III: More Tales Of The Macabre” is a must-read horror collection. The stunning gothic imagery and setting played so well with the strong female-driven narratives and twisted horror elements that have made this author one of horror’s best voices in recent years.
Immediately upon reading this book, I found myself transported to the era of gothic horror that jump-started my love of all things horror. The haunting atmosphere and the author’s natural ability to build tension in the evolving narratives made this collection of horror stories shine brightly. The author’s ability to conjure up strong imagery that brought out the contrast of beautiful settings set against the dark and cruel nature of the darkness each story held was incredible to behold.
One of the strongest aspects of this narrative and the overall collection was the use of strong female protagonists throughout the book. The exploration of themes such as feminism, LGBTQ romance, and more was greatly portrayed through these protagonists, especially set against the backdrop of the old stories of the past. One story, in particular, jumped out to me, with the narrative highlighting mankind’s ability to accept truly abhorrent and violent behavior and yet scoff and be disgusted by LGBTQ romance at its best, baffling the mind. The author's ability to traverse these prominent themes while also entertaining and scaring the reader is truly amazing.
The Verdict
Haunting, shocking, and entertaining, author Meg Hafdahl’s “Twisted Reveries III: More Tales Of The Macabre” is a must-read horror collection. The stunning gothic imagery and setting played so well with the strong female-driven narratives and twisted horror elements that have made this author one of horror’s best voices in recent years.
July 30, 2022
This was a truly incredible, emotional yet terrifying collection of short stories. If you, like me, feel that all’s right in the world when you’ve figured out the big twist, Twisted Reveries III: More Tales of the Macabre by Meg Hafdahl short suspense stories will deliver that satisfaction without the side effect of lost sleep. Collection of True suspense Stories. The best collection of horror stories, suspense stories, and thriller stories. Short suspense stories that are better than most frightening movies you've seen are now available.
There’s an enviable fearlessness to Meg Hafdahls’ writing, a refusal to look away from the despair that lies within the hearts of her lost and weary characters, to give them tidy trajectories or tidy resolutions. Her landscapes are exquisitely drawn, full of lush sensory detailing and characters stalked by the sorrows and violence of their pasts, the parched desperation of their presents.
It’s remarkable to come across this collection in which the voice, the vision, is so fully formed, so assured, but that’s what Meg Hafdahls has achieved with this exceptional work.
Highly Recommended!
There’s an enviable fearlessness to Meg Hafdahls’ writing, a refusal to look away from the despair that lies within the hearts of her lost and weary characters, to give them tidy trajectories or tidy resolutions. Her landscapes are exquisitely drawn, full of lush sensory detailing and characters stalked by the sorrows and violence of their pasts, the parched desperation of their presents.
It’s remarkable to come across this collection in which the voice, the vision, is so fully formed, so assured, but that’s what Meg Hafdahls has achieved with this exceptional work.
Highly Recommended!
December 6, 2022
I can't believe I haven't left a review for this yet. Hafdahl's collection of short stories are diverse, captivating, and chilling. I loved the historic settings. It's rare I need to take a second before turning out the light at bedtime... but Hafdahl knows how to make me do it!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews