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Lockdown: A Collection of Dark Tales
***Winner of the 2022 New York City Big Book Award for Best Short Story Collection***
"Herbert's tales have a solid, unnerving twist, yet it's the unforgettable cast that truly drives the narratives." -Kirkus Reviews
Arthur Herbert’s award-winning collection of short fiction and twist endings showcases why he's considered one of the most exciting new voices in the suspense genre. Here you’ll read about two women on a lonely road trip through the West Texas desert who stumble across a finding that chills their bones ("Sisters"), a ten-year-old boy who sets out to prove there's nothing in the town of Amoret's most famous haunted house ("Dead Snakes"), a Depression-era railroad worker whose midnight rounds set off a chain reaction of events that will change his life forever ("The Railyard Man"), an undergraduate in the midst of an affair with her professor who fears telling him her secret while suspecting he has one of his own ("Small Lies, Big Secrets"), and more. Some characters are dark, some funny, some cynical, some noble, but all are absolutely authentic and memorable. Come discover what burbles up from the darkness of Arthur Herbert's vivid imagination...
"Herbert's tales have a solid, unnerving twist, yet it's the unforgettable cast that truly drives the narratives." -Kirkus Reviews
Arthur Herbert’s award-winning collection of short fiction and twist endings showcases why he's considered one of the most exciting new voices in the suspense genre. Here you’ll read about two women on a lonely road trip through the West Texas desert who stumble across a finding that chills their bones ("Sisters"), a ten-year-old boy who sets out to prove there's nothing in the town of Amoret's most famous haunted house ("Dead Snakes"), a Depression-era railroad worker whose midnight rounds set off a chain reaction of events that will change his life forever ("The Railyard Man"), an undergraduate in the midst of an affair with her professor who fears telling him her secret while suspecting he has one of his own ("Small Lies, Big Secrets"), and more. Some characters are dark, some funny, some cynical, some noble, but all are absolutely authentic and memorable. Come discover what burbles up from the darkness of Arthur Herbert's vivid imagination...
201 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2022
241 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Herbert
6 books342 followersBe sure to follow Arthur on Bookbub for the latest on his releases and deals at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/arthu...
Arthur Herbert was born and raised in small town Texas. He worked on offshore oil rigs, as a bartender, a landscaper at a trailer park, and as a social worker before going to medical school. For the last eighteen years, he’s worked as a trauma and burn surgeon, operating on all ages of injured patients. He continues to run a thriving practice.
After the success of his debut novel, "The Cuts that Cure", his second novel, "The Bones of Amoret", will be published by Stitched Smile Publications on April 1, 2022.
Arthur currently lives in New Orleans, with his wife Amy and their dogs. He loves hearing from his readers, so don’t hesitate to email him at arthur@arthurherbertwriter.com.
Arthur Herbert was born and raised in small town Texas. He worked on offshore oil rigs, as a bartender, a landscaper at a trailer park, and as a social worker before going to medical school. For the last eighteen years, he’s worked as a trauma and burn surgeon, operating on all ages of injured patients. He continues to run a thriving practice.
After the success of his debut novel, "The Cuts that Cure", his second novel, "The Bones of Amoret", will be published by Stitched Smile Publications on April 1, 2022.
Arthur currently lives in New Orleans, with his wife Amy and their dogs. He loves hearing from his readers, so don’t hesitate to email him at arthur@arthurherbertwriter.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 9, 2024
I was lucky enough to see an alert from BookBub that this collection was available for free for a limited time. Since I am a big Stephen King fan, I couldn’t possibly pass up a collection of dark tales, especially when it was being offered up on a silver platter. I am glad I snapped it up, because it was well worth the read.
I see other reviewers mentioning four short stories, but the version I read included seven. All of them captured my interest immediately and keep me completely captivated until the end.
In fact, I enjoyed the collection so much that I immediately went and purchased the two available novels by this author. I also noticed that another novel is forthcoming. It says the book release was due in May 2024, but doesn’t appear to be available yet, so I will be keeping an eye out for it.
I thank BookBub for introducing me to another fantastic author. Now I am anxious to read more!
I see other reviewers mentioning four short stories, but the version I read included seven. All of them captured my interest immediately and keep me completely captivated until the end.
In fact, I enjoyed the collection so much that I immediately went and purchased the two available novels by this author. I also noticed that another novel is forthcoming. It says the book release was due in May 2024, but doesn’t appear to be available yet, so I will be keeping an eye out for it.
I thank BookBub for introducing me to another fantastic author. Now I am anxious to read more!
September 10, 2022
These are four dark tales, but all of them are also leavened with humour. Not necessarily the kind of humour you want to admit to, but humour that makes the book as a whole a delicious read.
Two sisters, called upon to play Good Samaritan on a lonely road - one of them's a nurse and ought to do her duty, but then again they've got other things to do. A man visiting a dying neighbour, to say his goodbyes - and check out his bathroom. A patient leaving hospital in the middle of a storm - and the unexpected escort girl who's going to take him somewhere else. An old hobo stripping naked... All of them bring irresistible characters (love them or hate them, but all of them you'll believe in) and crisp, witty dialogue.
This is an author who I know from his two fine novels. Short stories take a very different set of literary skills, so it's good to know that he had these skills too. And as a bonus treat, there's a little monologue from him at the end - about where he and his stories come from, with one extra glorious little tale thrown in, (this time, if we are to believe him, completely true).
A collection to relish.
Two sisters, called upon to play Good Samaritan on a lonely road - one of them's a nurse and ought to do her duty, but then again they've got other things to do. A man visiting a dying neighbour, to say his goodbyes - and check out his bathroom. A patient leaving hospital in the middle of a storm - and the unexpected escort girl who's going to take him somewhere else. An old hobo stripping naked... All of them bring irresistible characters (love them or hate them, but all of them you'll believe in) and crisp, witty dialogue.
This is an author who I know from his two fine novels. Short stories take a very different set of literary skills, so it's good to know that he had these skills too. And as a bonus treat, there's a little monologue from him at the end - about where he and his stories come from, with one extra glorious little tale thrown in, (this time, if we are to believe him, completely true).
A collection to relish.
September 22, 2024
TL;DR
A collection of uninteresting stories that aren't scary, disturbing or suspensful. I'm reading the reviews of other people and all I can think of is what book did they read? I do not recommend this book.
My Scoring System
I have five things I look for in a book, if the book checks all five it's a 5/5 stars book, if it checks none it's a 1/5 stars and everything else is a combination:
X - Main Story:
X - Side Stories (if it applies):
X - Characters:
X - Setting/Ambiance:
X - Ending:
Extensive Review
Every single story follows the same pattern. For 90% of the story the only thing you do is learn about the character, nothing relevant to the story just their past and then at the end of the story it has nothing to do with what you learn about that character. If you want to read some short horror stories look elsewhere.
A collection of uninteresting stories that aren't scary, disturbing or suspensful. I'm reading the reviews of other people and all I can think of is what book did they read? I do not recommend this book.
My Scoring System
I have five things I look for in a book, if the book checks all five it's a 5/5 stars book, if it checks none it's a 1/5 stars and everything else is a combination:
X - Main Story:
X - Side Stories (if it applies):
X - Characters:
X - Setting/Ambiance:
X - Ending:
Extensive Review
Every single story follows the same pattern. For 90% of the story the only thing you do is learn about the character, nothing relevant to the story just their past and then at the end of the story it has nothing to do with what you learn about that character. If you want to read some short horror stories look elsewhere.
June 16, 2024
Maybe more of a 3.5. This was free so I can't complain too much, and it was obviously a very quick read. I'd have to say out of the 7 short stories in here I really enjoyed about 4 of them. My favorites were Sisters; Mister B's Goodbye; Small Lies, Big Secrets; and Dead Snakes. Dead Snakes really reminded me of something Stephen King would write and I really enjoyed Small Lies, Big Secrets. Most had good suspense and a good twist ending.
April 6, 2024
Book:-Lockdown-A collection of dark tales by Arthur Herbert
Story one:-SISTERS
A short story on Frieda and her younger sister Jacinda's travel journey.It tells of the importance of seas of bushes and trees on the highway that act as covering for the emptying of filled bladder of road users describing same as sisters(sea-tass or tases describing the air speed of the emptying process and relief).It looks at their dads transformation from being communicative to an addled husk with Alzheimer's disease.
Story two:-Lockdown
Rubik experience at the hospital ward while recuperating amidst to errifying weather report that led to the hospital lockdown as well as his thoughts and concerns for his life and secrets outside.
Story three:-Mister B.'s Goodbye
Narrator's experience with wife Corinna and the Mister B's as well as real estate concerns with shot gun houses and ghosts(gi-host with gi for "you" in ikwerre language in Nigeria).
Story four:The crescent city coffee klatch
This is a short story about the gossip and drama loving professor and writer and Andre his acquittance an artist.It tells of the professors love for a sip of bloody Mary.
Story one:-SISTERS
A short story on Frieda and her younger sister Jacinda's travel journey.It tells of the importance of seas of bushes and trees on the highway that act as covering for the emptying of filled bladder of road users describing same as sisters(sea-tass or tases describing the air speed of the emptying process and relief).It looks at their dads transformation from being communicative to an addled husk with Alzheimer's disease.
Story two:-Lockdown
Rubik experience at the hospital ward while recuperating amidst to errifying weather report that led to the hospital lockdown as well as his thoughts and concerns for his life and secrets outside.
Story three:-Mister B.'s Goodbye
Narrator's experience with wife Corinna and the Mister B's as well as real estate concerns with shot gun houses and ghosts(gi-host with gi for "you" in ikwerre language in Nigeria).
Story four:The crescent city coffee klatch
This is a short story about the gossip and drama loving professor and writer and Andre his acquittance an artist.It tells of the professors love for a sip of bloody Mary.
September 10, 2022
With each of these four stories you'll probably think when you start that you know where they're going. You don't.
Arthur Herbert is an author who always surprises. He lures you in with a mass of plausible detail, you'll feel you're there, in the hospital, in the house , in the bar, out on a road trip... then bam: not what you were expecting.
I love the way this author writes. His characters - here as in his other books - are complicated and three dimensional. His sisters bicker like real sisters, confront dilemmas like real sisters. His bastards may be unforgivable but you still feel like you might have met them. Some of them are pretty horrid, but you still see more than that. My favorite in this collection - after which the collection is named - is "Lockdown". An old crook rides out a storm as he lies in his hospital bed, but when he decides to get out, he finds he's not going where he planned.
Or no... Maybe my favorite is the last of them - this is the warmest, certainly, and it gave me a big smile.
Arthur Herbert is an author who always surprises. He lures you in with a mass of plausible detail, you'll feel you're there, in the hospital, in the house , in the bar, out on a road trip... then bam: not what you were expecting.
I love the way this author writes. His characters - here as in his other books - are complicated and three dimensional. His sisters bicker like real sisters, confront dilemmas like real sisters. His bastards may be unforgivable but you still feel like you might have met them. Some of them are pretty horrid, but you still see more than that. My favorite in this collection - after which the collection is named - is "Lockdown". An old crook rides out a storm as he lies in his hospital bed, but when he decides to get out, he finds he's not going where he planned.
Or no... Maybe my favorite is the last of them - this is the warmest, certainly, and it gave me a big smile.
July 20, 2024
Lockdown: A Collection of Dark Tales by Arthur Herbert is a gripping anthology that delves deep into the realms of darkness and human psyche. Each story is meticulously crafted, offering a unique blend of suspense, horror, and thought-provoking themes. Herbert's writing style keeps you on the edge of your seat, with vivid descriptions that immerse you in every chilling scenario. The characters are hauntingly real, each facing their own fears and moral dilemmas. While some tales are more unsettling than others, the overall atmosphere of suspense is maintained throughout the collection. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers and enjoy stories that linger in your mind long after you've finished reading, Lockdown is a must-read.
November 9, 2022
This was the first book I've read from this author, but it absolutely will not be the last. He is an incredible storyteller. This was a collection of four short stories, and I enjoyed each one for different reasons. Although they definitely included some less than admirable human behavior, they also had humor - a tough balance to pull off. The writing is descriptive and the characters are colorful. I devoured it and am looking forward to reading more of his work. Highly recommended.
June 17, 2024
This was my first experience reading any of Arthur Herbert's books. I was pleasantly surprised with this book of short stories! Usually there will be at least one or two that I don't connect with, but I really enjoyed them all. They spanned the genres of horror, general suspense, and ghost stories. I look forward to delving into his current series.
May 17, 2024
I quite enjoyed this collection of short dark stories. Some were predictable, and some were a surprise. But funnily enough, what I enjoyed most were the Author's Notes at the end, where I got to read what inspired each story and the vision behind them.
July 11, 2023
This was an Intriguing collection of Short Stories.
Each story was suspenseful and well written.
Each story was suspenseful and well written.
March 25, 2024
Really enjoyed this collection. Easy reads and loved the NOLA-based stores, especially. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read from Arthur Herbert. Looking forward to his next book release.
June 21, 2024
None of the stories held my interest, rather bland, the best one was the last story, Dead Snakes.
July 9, 2024
Not my cup.of tea!
July 12, 2024
I hope the author at least got a C in the creative writing class for which he submitted these. Amateurish at best. And yeah, we don't need narcissistic, exhaustive family stories at the end.
July 23, 2024
It's a collection of 7 short stories - around 30 pages each. The stories have no connection to each other but are just great stories.
September 11, 2024
This does make me interested in his novels.
September 25, 2024
Great short stories
December 8, 2024
Terrible. Don't recommend
July 28, 2025
Couldn’t do it. It is very rare that I don’t finish a book and I had to shelve this one.
August 15, 2025
Engaging
Really liked this anthology, every story was interesting. All of them pack a punch and have a twist. Highly recommend.
Really liked this anthology, every story was interesting. All of them pack a punch and have a twist. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews