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Whispers - Volume 2: A Second Collection
Whispers - often unheard and sometimes misinterpreted. They make people uncomfortable and anxious. They can spread innocent words and they can infect the mind with hatred and lies. They can be a sign of secrecy or a symptom of utter madness… From Stuart Keane comes a second collection of short stories. Featuring a foreword from Mark Parker, Whispers - Volume 2 brings you eight horrific tales. This is terror experienced by ordinary people in ordinary circumstances, when their mundane lives spiral out of control and become something a little more sadistic. In this second collection of horrific tales, we Two hapless teenagers out for a drive who discover a terrifying secret, a psychopath on a rampage, whose bloody thirst for vengeance takes an unusual and sickening turn, several humans who see their lives thrown into violent turmoil when animals turn on the entire human race, an abused wife who takes an ill-advised stand against her power-hungry husband, a lesbian couple who are ripped apart by a flesh eating illness, a Vietnam veteran with vivid nightmares that may be all too real, the ultimate metal band who are determined to give the ultimate final show, and a groom who wakes up with the worst hangover...one that soon becomes a horrifying nightmare. Whispers – sometimes we hear them, but they definitely hear us...still.
- GenresHorror
178 pages, Paperback
Published December 17, 2015
1 person is currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Keane
55 books145 followersAt the age of seven, I fell in love with the written word. Since that fateful day, I've dreamt of writing my own novels. In April 2014, twenty-five years later, that dream finally came true.
Writing is, and always has been, my passion. I revel in creating characters, unique worlds, realistic environments, and situations and stories that hook the reader. Reading stories of this kind inspires me so returning the favour has always been important to me, as a writer and a fan of literature.
I'm also a co-director at Dark Chapter Press, an English-based horror publisher, so pop over to my website for more information, including a fan club, the latest submission calls and new releases.
Writing is, and always has been, my passion. I revel in creating characters, unique worlds, realistic environments, and situations and stories that hook the reader. Reading stories of this kind inspires me so returning the favour has always been important to me, as a writer and a fan of literature.
I'm also a co-director at Dark Chapter Press, an English-based horror publisher, so pop over to my website for more information, including a fan club, the latest submission calls and new releases.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 18, 2016
OK, let's see, I have read - needs both hands - 6 7 works from that charismatic genius Stuart Keane since coming across him a few months ago.
Otherwise known as The King in all my other reviews of his, for 2 obvious reasons.
He is just Top Tier folks!
I read and reviewed Whispers 1 and it was fantastic! He amped all that up in this 2nd installment of shorts.
8 short stories, all very unique, all extra graphic and filthy, and all super fun.
Ya know, no one can polish filth quite as classy as Stuart Keane. His words just ooze class and eloquence, it's kind of eerie and very enticing.
Mr. Keane said in the intro that he wasn't too keen on writing short stories in the beginning but I think he excels at them.
Limited pages does NOT limit his creativity, imagination, and rock solid storytelling skills.
I've read at least 20 shorts of his already so I know what I'm talking about here! Lol
A lot of these tales have intelligent little twists at the end.
Made someone like me think for a minute (...or 3) before that AHAAA moment.
A couple I'm still buffering....
I will attempt to briefly summarize each of the 8.
I've been told that I talk too much so to help alleviate all that inner bickering, here goes:
~ The Tale of Sadie Barker ~ Alex and Mike are out for a drive, just goofing around and heading towards a popular donut shop, when they stop at the scene of a 4 year old crime turned urban legend. Poor Sadie, 4 years ago something unspeakable happened to her, RIP remaining just out of her deceased grasp.
~ Urban Legend ~ A man with something to prove, a theory of sorts. He has his subjects, common denominators, supplies, and precise calculations all set up. This one made me actually nauseous and throw up in my mouth a little bit. I didn't realize it was somewhat of an interactive story. However, I had no choice but to participate due to Stuart's relentless hold over my senses.
~Animalocalypse ~ Epic intro to this tale (or tail) and it's exactly as it sounds, the animals have turned on humanity. This has always been one of those little 'what if' phobias of mine. I mean, I've seen the way the squirrels and rabbits that pilfer my garden look at each other, those scrunched faces, quick exchanges...they're up to something.
~ Bedroom Secrets ~ I can relate to feeling claustrophobic in a toxic relationship. Thankfully it turned pure fiction for me from there! The husband was so gross and disgusting, not to mention his narcissistic paranoia. The whole thing takes place in one room. Well, one room with a rather odd and gluttonous addition.
~ Falling Apart ~ Abbi decides on a short cut to get from A to B one morning and it ends up obliterating her whole alphabet. Tested, poked, prodded, incubated, and quarantined ...she has a request. This does get a little bizarro as Mr. Keane does not hold back with the hardcore vivid descriptions. 2 key words; casual cannibalism.
~ Casualty of War ~ John had an abusive father, saw more horrors than Rob Zombies portfolio in Vietnam, and now as he is facing a new crisis, he is telling us a little about it all. Poignant and heartfelt. The Nam scenes...just overwhelming..
~ Swan Song ~ A huge rock group are retiring after 20 mega deth successful years. They have a sold out killer concert of a lifetime coming up. Sex-drugs-and rock and roll....plus a little debauchery, dismemberments, and defiling strum rampant to the beats of the bass.
~Hodmedod ~ Nicolas wakes up from a stag party, groggy, all hung over, not feeling like himself..at all. Something is wrong, he's immobile and can't see a damn thing. Did the groom pull one over on his best men, breaking normal tradition... is it all a prank??
Just amazingly impressive!!! I wish there was a 5 star + option.
More extreme, graphic and just downright filthier compared to his first volume.
Makes me all giggly and tingly to find out what he's got planned for the 3rd installment.
And there better be a 3rd!!
He is a noble aaaaand naughty King.
I have already placed an order directly through him for signed books. They HAVE to be signed, it's the only way I'm willing to collect my new favorite authors, Amazon will not be getting my business there.
And when I get my bookshelf the way I want it, believe me, Mr. Keane will be featured prominently.
His books covers shall elicit the sweetest of dreams, I'm sure. 😉
Otherwise known as The King in all my other reviews of his, for 2 obvious reasons.
He is just Top Tier folks!
I read and reviewed Whispers 1 and it was fantastic! He amped all that up in this 2nd installment of shorts.
8 short stories, all very unique, all extra graphic and filthy, and all super fun.
Ya know, no one can polish filth quite as classy as Stuart Keane. His words just ooze class and eloquence, it's kind of eerie and very enticing.
Mr. Keane said in the intro that he wasn't too keen on writing short stories in the beginning but I think he excels at them.
Limited pages does NOT limit his creativity, imagination, and rock solid storytelling skills.
I've read at least 20 shorts of his already so I know what I'm talking about here! Lol
A lot of these tales have intelligent little twists at the end.
Made someone like me think for a minute (...or 3) before that AHAAA moment.
A couple I'm still buffering....
I will attempt to briefly summarize each of the 8.
I've been told that I talk too much so to help alleviate all that inner bickering, here goes:
~ The Tale of Sadie Barker ~ Alex and Mike are out for a drive, just goofing around and heading towards a popular donut shop, when they stop at the scene of a 4 year old crime turned urban legend. Poor Sadie, 4 years ago something unspeakable happened to her, RIP remaining just out of her deceased grasp.
~ Urban Legend ~ A man with something to prove, a theory of sorts. He has his subjects, common denominators, supplies, and precise calculations all set up. This one made me actually nauseous and throw up in my mouth a little bit. I didn't realize it was somewhat of an interactive story. However, I had no choice but to participate due to Stuart's relentless hold over my senses.
~Animalocalypse ~ Epic intro to this tale (or tail) and it's exactly as it sounds, the animals have turned on humanity. This has always been one of those little 'what if' phobias of mine. I mean, I've seen the way the squirrels and rabbits that pilfer my garden look at each other, those scrunched faces, quick exchanges...they're up to something.
~ Bedroom Secrets ~ I can relate to feeling claustrophobic in a toxic relationship. Thankfully it turned pure fiction for me from there! The husband was so gross and disgusting, not to mention his narcissistic paranoia. The whole thing takes place in one room. Well, one room with a rather odd and gluttonous addition.
~ Falling Apart ~ Abbi decides on a short cut to get from A to B one morning and it ends up obliterating her whole alphabet. Tested, poked, prodded, incubated, and quarantined ...she has a request. This does get a little bizarro as Mr. Keane does not hold back with the hardcore vivid descriptions. 2 key words; casual cannibalism.
~ Casualty of War ~ John had an abusive father, saw more horrors than Rob Zombies portfolio in Vietnam, and now as he is facing a new crisis, he is telling us a little about it all. Poignant and heartfelt. The Nam scenes...just overwhelming..
~ Swan Song ~ A huge rock group are retiring after 20 mega deth successful years. They have a sold out killer concert of a lifetime coming up. Sex-drugs-and rock and roll....plus a little debauchery, dismemberments, and defiling strum rampant to the beats of the bass.
~Hodmedod ~ Nicolas wakes up from a stag party, groggy, all hung over, not feeling like himself..at all. Something is wrong, he's immobile and can't see a damn thing. Did the groom pull one over on his best men, breaking normal tradition... is it all a prank??
Just amazingly impressive!!! I wish there was a 5 star + option.
More extreme, graphic and just downright filthier compared to his first volume.
Makes me all giggly and tingly to find out what he's got planned for the 3rd installment.
And there better be a 3rd!!
He is a noble aaaaand naughty King.
I have already placed an order directly through him for signed books. They HAVE to be signed, it's the only way I'm willing to collect my new favorite authors, Amazon will not be getting my business there.
And when I get my bookshelf the way I want it, believe me, Mr. Keane will be featured prominently.
His books covers shall elicit the sweetest of dreams, I'm sure. 😉
November 30, 2015
So here we have it. The eagerly anticipated follow up to Stuart Keane’s first collection; he brings us Whispers Volume 2.
Once again, we see the artist Mark Kelly providing the artwork for the truly mesmerising cover. Once again, we have a collection of short stories, varying in length and content. Some are completely original stories, never seen before, and others are Stuart’s submissions to previous writing collections.
So.
I started this book with bated breath. Let me first explain why; for me, the first collection, Whispers Volume 1 was a collection that I loved from start to finish. Every story was unique, different and terrifying in its own way. I’m well aware of Keane’s writing ability, for me, it was a case of whether this volume would stand up to the quality of the first, and possibly even surpass it?
Yes, it can. This collection is at least as good, in some cases better. Stories like Urban Legend, Hodmedod, and The Tale Of Sandie Barker show that he can put his unique, contemporary stamp on any traditional horror story. Stories like Animocalypse and Falling Apart, showcase his broad imagination and diverse skill of poprtraying any situation to be a believable scenario. Casualty of War and Bedroom Secrets are not traditional horror, but they are testament to Keane’s grasp of that crossover between real life and horror. He makes it explode in your face in the form of terrifying, yet realistic fiction. My hat’s off again. This man continues to astound me with the quality of every release. My rating 5/5
We open the collection with a foreword from none other than Mark Parker, giving some good insights into the work that he has done with Keane previously, and a couple of good points on publishing platforms and indie publishers
The stories;
The Tale Of Sandie Barker.
Two friends Alex and Mike are out driving when they stumble upon Widow’s Peak. A remote location, where a young woman was said to be have been raped and killed when she broke down in her car. On the anniversary of her death she is said to return, with a violent death to anyone that sees her. A tragic ghost story, with a nice twist, and a brilliant way to open the collection.
Urban Legend.
Three people, a stripper called Angela, a bum called Bob and a fat pig called Edward, find themselves in a precarious situation by an unknown captor. Their imprisoner talks of the Legend of Regurgitation, or LegReg. It caters for three types of people. Expect blood, gluttony, vomit and other bodily fluids, Bourbon and a bucket. A sick and twisted little number. Also, one of my favourites in the collection.
Animalocalypse.
The town of Barrington is under siege. The stench of death is pungent on the streets. It is truly hell on earth. Buildings are on fire, cars and trucks are being overturned, the army are fighting a losing battle, but with who? Follow a small group of survivors, attempting to fight back against an enemy, where they are vastly outnumbered. Expect a few parts that will truly get beneath your skin, and a nice twist.
Bedroom Secrets.
Richard and Lisa are an unhappily married couple. She often daydreams, thinking back to her once perfect wedding day, and dream husband. Now, her only enjoyment in life is her pet Labrador – Twinkie. Money and an unhealthy addiction to junk food leads to Richard treating Lisa as a prisoner in her own home. A real shocker of an ending in the ultimate tale of manipulation and control. This is one that will definitely stay with you.
Falling Apart.
Abbi has a run in with a tramp, where a chance exchange of fluids leads to her contracting a rare type of disease. The doctors class it as a mutated strain of leprosy, and give her only three weeks to live. She is told that she will start to lose body parts, however she will feel no pain. She asks if she can see her remaining time out with her long term partner – Sarah. Expect a shocker of a story, filled with gore and yucky moments. The finish will leave you with your mouth agape.
Casualty Of War.
John Dixon was a Vietnam War veteran. Enlisted to service in 1967. Twenty years on, he is still re living the horrors of Operation Firefox - a mission that went disastrously wrong, leading to the massacre of his platoon and friend Rollins. A real testament to the horrors that war can inflict on people, and the after effects. Once more, a dark shocker with a nasty ending.
The Swan Song
Meet Lobes, Geist, Zhang and Hunter. A four piece Metal band called Bethesda. We catch up with them just as they are finishing a gig at Brixton Academy. They are jumping on their tour bus, where they will be having a post gig party with a couple of groupies; Reign and Melanie. The band are on their way to Reading, to headline at the Reading Show, their last ever gig – their Swan Song. Sex, blood gore, shocks, laughs and a surprise cameo by a certain man named Kyle. Great fun from start to finish, and my pick from the stories.
Hodmedod
Friends, Nicolas and Paul wake up after their friend James’ bachelor party, a night filled with booze, drugs and strippers in London. Strangely enough, they wake up with their hands and wrists bound and pillow cases over their heads. A great, creepy story of betrayal and revenge.
So there is my review. My recommendation - go and download it.
Once again, we see the artist Mark Kelly providing the artwork for the truly mesmerising cover. Once again, we have a collection of short stories, varying in length and content. Some are completely original stories, never seen before, and others are Stuart’s submissions to previous writing collections.
So.
I started this book with bated breath. Let me first explain why; for me, the first collection, Whispers Volume 1 was a collection that I loved from start to finish. Every story was unique, different and terrifying in its own way. I’m well aware of Keane’s writing ability, for me, it was a case of whether this volume would stand up to the quality of the first, and possibly even surpass it?
Yes, it can. This collection is at least as good, in some cases better. Stories like Urban Legend, Hodmedod, and The Tale Of Sandie Barker show that he can put his unique, contemporary stamp on any traditional horror story. Stories like Animocalypse and Falling Apart, showcase his broad imagination and diverse skill of poprtraying any situation to be a believable scenario. Casualty of War and Bedroom Secrets are not traditional horror, but they are testament to Keane’s grasp of that crossover between real life and horror. He makes it explode in your face in the form of terrifying, yet realistic fiction. My hat’s off again. This man continues to astound me with the quality of every release. My rating 5/5
We open the collection with a foreword from none other than Mark Parker, giving some good insights into the work that he has done with Keane previously, and a couple of good points on publishing platforms and indie publishers
The stories;
The Tale Of Sandie Barker.
Two friends Alex and Mike are out driving when they stumble upon Widow’s Peak. A remote location, where a young woman was said to be have been raped and killed when she broke down in her car. On the anniversary of her death she is said to return, with a violent death to anyone that sees her. A tragic ghost story, with a nice twist, and a brilliant way to open the collection.
Urban Legend.
Three people, a stripper called Angela, a bum called Bob and a fat pig called Edward, find themselves in a precarious situation by an unknown captor. Their imprisoner talks of the Legend of Regurgitation, or LegReg. It caters for three types of people. Expect blood, gluttony, vomit and other bodily fluids, Bourbon and a bucket. A sick and twisted little number. Also, one of my favourites in the collection.
Animalocalypse.
The town of Barrington is under siege. The stench of death is pungent on the streets. It is truly hell on earth. Buildings are on fire, cars and trucks are being overturned, the army are fighting a losing battle, but with who? Follow a small group of survivors, attempting to fight back against an enemy, where they are vastly outnumbered. Expect a few parts that will truly get beneath your skin, and a nice twist.
Bedroom Secrets.
Richard and Lisa are an unhappily married couple. She often daydreams, thinking back to her once perfect wedding day, and dream husband. Now, her only enjoyment in life is her pet Labrador – Twinkie. Money and an unhealthy addiction to junk food leads to Richard treating Lisa as a prisoner in her own home. A real shocker of an ending in the ultimate tale of manipulation and control. This is one that will definitely stay with you.
Falling Apart.
Abbi has a run in with a tramp, where a chance exchange of fluids leads to her contracting a rare type of disease. The doctors class it as a mutated strain of leprosy, and give her only three weeks to live. She is told that she will start to lose body parts, however she will feel no pain. She asks if she can see her remaining time out with her long term partner – Sarah. Expect a shocker of a story, filled with gore and yucky moments. The finish will leave you with your mouth agape.
Casualty Of War.
John Dixon was a Vietnam War veteran. Enlisted to service in 1967. Twenty years on, he is still re living the horrors of Operation Firefox - a mission that went disastrously wrong, leading to the massacre of his platoon and friend Rollins. A real testament to the horrors that war can inflict on people, and the after effects. Once more, a dark shocker with a nasty ending.
The Swan Song
Meet Lobes, Geist, Zhang and Hunter. A four piece Metal band called Bethesda. We catch up with them just as they are finishing a gig at Brixton Academy. They are jumping on their tour bus, where they will be having a post gig party with a couple of groupies; Reign and Melanie. The band are on their way to Reading, to headline at the Reading Show, their last ever gig – their Swan Song. Sex, blood gore, shocks, laughs and a surprise cameo by a certain man named Kyle. Great fun from start to finish, and my pick from the stories.
Hodmedod
Friends, Nicolas and Paul wake up after their friend James’ bachelor party, a night filled with booze, drugs and strippers in London. Strangely enough, they wake up with their hands and wrists bound and pillow cases over their heads. A great, creepy story of betrayal and revenge.
So there is my review. My recommendation - go and download it.
December 19, 2015
Stuart Keane has had a busy few months. First Cine, then Grin, and now Whispers Vol 2. For a lot of writers that would be overkill. You have to space out your output a little, or else you start to piss off your fan base. Stuart's fans actually prefer that he release his work this way. We hate a long wait. Whispers is a collection of short stories that are both old and new. Like Whispers they feature some pieces that were in other anthologies and some that are new to the collection. Either way it's a win win because it allows us time to breath until his next full length release and for the Keane collector's it's a chance to have all of these stories in one collection. What a collection we have here folks!
If you've read this blog before I am a huge Keane fan. Whispers doesn't stray too far from what he has done before. The thing is we see that he's grown as a writer. There are some stories here that will certainly cause nightmares. Keane is a horror writer that knows no limits. Nothing is sacred. If you've never read Keane's work before this is where you should start. Volume 2 is a ride through hell and at the end of the collection you'll find yourself smoking. The overall theme here is revenge, and what a way to exact it.
Reading Whispers Vol 2 you'll find that Keane has a knack for creating stories that affect you and even make you think a little. Keane's not just a writer that wants to gross you out. He wants to creep inside your head. That's what makes him so good. This is a writer that seemingly can do no wrong. With each release we see a writer who is constantly evolving and Whispers is a collection that shows that growth very well. As a whole this is a collection you need to pick up. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Keane is the new master of horror. When you look beyond the gore and the violence what you have is the true definition of terror. There are a lot of great writers that I admire, but Keane reminds me so much of Richard Laymon that it's almost as if he's channeling his spirit somehow. Whispers is yet another solid release and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next
If you've read this blog before I am a huge Keane fan. Whispers doesn't stray too far from what he has done before. The thing is we see that he's grown as a writer. There are some stories here that will certainly cause nightmares. Keane is a horror writer that knows no limits. Nothing is sacred. If you've never read Keane's work before this is where you should start. Volume 2 is a ride through hell and at the end of the collection you'll find yourself smoking. The overall theme here is revenge, and what a way to exact it.
Reading Whispers Vol 2 you'll find that Keane has a knack for creating stories that affect you and even make you think a little. Keane's not just a writer that wants to gross you out. He wants to creep inside your head. That's what makes him so good. This is a writer that seemingly can do no wrong. With each release we see a writer who is constantly evolving and Whispers is a collection that shows that growth very well. As a whole this is a collection you need to pick up. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Keane is the new master of horror. When you look beyond the gore and the violence what you have is the true definition of terror. There are a lot of great writers that I admire, but Keane reminds me so much of Richard Laymon that it's almost as if he's channeling his spirit somehow. Whispers is yet another solid release and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next
December 4, 2015
Unbelievable! One of the best collections EVER!
This collection will make your skin crawl, it will make your stomach flop, and it will make your head spin while your heart pounds. Intense, horrific, exciting, disgusting and so much more! Highly highly recommend to all fans of modern horror-just be warned, don't eat while reading!
This collection will make your skin crawl, it will make your stomach flop, and it will make your head spin while your heart pounds. Intense, horrific, exciting, disgusting and so much more! Highly highly recommend to all fans of modern horror-just be warned, don't eat while reading!
December 12, 2015
Just as good as the first
Stuart Keane does it again with volume 2 of whispers. Just as good as the first if not better. Mr. Keane is what horror is all about and I hope he never stops writing.
Stuart Keane does it again with volume 2 of whispers. Just as good as the first if not better. Mr. Keane is what horror is all about and I hope he never stops writing.
June 1, 2017
A collection of gruesome tales not for the easily offended. As these tales are quite dramatic and dark. I wouldn’t recommend eating or drinking anything while reading these books. You have been warned now on too some of my favorite stories from these three books. Volume (1) - A young boy who is getting buliled at school believes there something dark and evil hiding in his closet only to be met with a strange man who takes him on a trip to hell where he can get revenge on anyone who has ever hurt or wronged him. A rather clever way to get your own back on school bullies. Volume (2) -Two boys on a fun night out of weed and booze go for a drive where they end up parked where a young girl was brutally murdered and sexually assaulted. The twist in the tale is that one of the boys is related to the girl and is hell bent on payback. Volume (3) - A chef who loves using humans as his ingredients to cook with. So whatever you do don’t complain about the food. Or the food will be you.
These books can be read in any order but are not for the faint hearted. I really enjoyed reading Stuart’s messed up stories. Can’t wait for volume 4 out soon. Reviewed by Jennifer
These books can be read in any order but are not for the faint hearted. I really enjoyed reading Stuart’s messed up stories. Can’t wait for volume 4 out soon. Reviewed by Jennifer
February 21, 2018
Another great collection from Keane. My favourite story in it is The Swan Song.
April 18, 2016
Divine
There's a reason Stuart Keane has a following ... He gives us what we want ... What we need. Blood, guts, gore ... the unholy trinity. In such a divine manner, keeping us all coming back for more.
There's a reason Stuart Keane has a following ... He gives us what we want ... What we need. Blood, guts, gore ... the unholy trinity. In such a divine manner, keeping us all coming back for more.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews