Nightscript Volume 7: Volume 7

Nightscript #7

by C.M. Muller, Clint Smith, Joshua Rex

An annual anthology of strange and darksome tales, which this year profiles the work of 19 contemporary Clint Smith, Joshua Rex, Douglas Thompson, Timothy Granville, Elin Olausson, Gordon Brown, David Surface, Douglas Ford, Alexander James, Jason A. Wyckoff, Rhonda Eikamp, Steve Toase, Tim Major, Ashley Stokes, Regina Garza Mitchell, Marc Joan, Danny Rhodes, Charles Wilkinson, and LC von Hessen.
"A very promising anthology." —Ellen Datlow, Best Horror of the Year
"An annual highlight of the genre." —Anthony Watson, Dark Musings
"Weirdness with truth at its heart." —Des Lewis, Real-Time Reviews

Genres: Horror

252 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2021

About the author

I live in St. Paul, Minnesota with my wife and two sons—and, of course, all those quaint and curious volumes of forgotten lore. I am related to the Norwegian writer Jonas Lie and draw much inspiration from that scrivener of old. My tales have appeared in Shadows & Tall Trees, Supernatural Tales, Vastarien, and a host of other venues. In addition to writing, I also edit and publish the annual journal Nightscript. My debut story collection, Hidden Folk, was released in 2018.

Reviews

[Bill Hsu · Rating 2 out of 5]

My most recent foray into the darksome did not get off to an inspiring start. My favorite is easily Elin Olausson's "Roadkill". The young girl narrator's voice has a caustic attitude (not realistic, but that's never been a problem with me), and enough is left unsaid so we can fill in the horrific details. I would quote the lovely ending, but you should really experience it yourself.

I like the ideas and water imagery in"'Neath the Mirror of the Sea", not a fan of the treatment (or the telegraphing title). I often have trouble with stories that work with audio, like "The Cardboard Voice". When one of the characters rambles on about some technical implausibility, I get too distracted. The amorphous ending doesn't help.

I quite enjoyed Ashley Stokes' "The Validations". (I'm not sure how the protagonist flew into Schiphol only to end up in a city with Italianate names; maybe it was a transfer, but why casually drop the name of the airport?) The writing is maybe a bit verbose for my taste. But the voice is nicely done, and I like the protagonist's addressing of the anonymous "you" and their mysterious, problematic relationship. Not sure I'm convinced by the ending, but it's open and messy enough, and I appreciate that.

I loved the quiet, mysterious setup of Regina Mitchell's "A Perfect Doll". But the closing ritual just seemed labored and cliched to me (they used a pentagram? really?)

The narrator's voice in "Madam and Yves" reminds me of older decadent weird fiction, but the story centers around 3D printing. Intriguing combo, but I don't think it worked for me. Charles Wilkinson's "Where the Oxen Turned the Plow" is gentle Brit folk horror, charming enough, but I doubt I'll remember it in a couple days.

I remember Nightscript Vols 5 & 6 to include more subtle and surprising stories, and stronger writing. I would recommend those two above this.

[Later:] Just noticed a number of the same authors were also in Dark Lane 10, with stronger stories (according to my notes from our monthly read).

[An Redman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretentious.