Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

A Crate of Rags & Bones

Rate this book
These dusty crates are filled with twenty dark tales that have been penned specifically to frustrate your slumber and incite insomnia. A stew of sinister intent as it were. A pinch of horror, a splash of mystery, two dashes of murder, and smatterings of suspense have all been brought to a boil and congealed into this olio of evil.

Within, you will find witches cackling as they reclaim their youth, a snarling coy wolf in a fight for survival, a banshee wailing about her homicide, and long dead pirates howling for revenge. A judgmental apple tree observes illicit lovers, a tyrannical government of a dismal future punishes dissidents with impunity, and a distraught vampire who seeks his own demise. These, as well as a host of other characters, endure experiences that test the bounds of rational thought.

Each story is unique, with yarns spun across multiple timelines, spanning numerous countries and continents to draw taut your tether to comfort and reality. Whether in India, Canada, Romania, or England, peering through the dingy lace of a Victorian past, or shielding your eyes from the ominous glow of a dystopian future, these tales have been woven to shroud your heart within the inky black of pure terror.

Pry open each crate in the safety of daylight and with the utmost of caution, for here, there be monsters.

262 pages, Paperback

Published December 20, 2022

3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read

About the author

L.A. Nolan

10 books30 followers
https://www.instagram.com/sir_wordsmith/

L.A. Nolan was born in Toronto, making him the first Canadian-born member of his family, whose roots are set firmly in Liverpool, England. Throughout his life, his restlessness encouraged extensive travel to many countries, and in 2012, he finally settled in India.
Motorcycling became the primary focus. He joined a club and crisscrossed the country with reckless abandon, several times. He dabbled in acting and landed a few small roles in Bollywood productions such as Aiyaary, alongside Sidharth Malhotra, and, Bose – Dead or Alive, with Sanjay Gurbaxani and for many years, he was also the frontman of a successful rock and roll band playing the club circuit in New Delhi. Then, after breaking several bones on a desolate mountainside during a motorcycle ride, Nolan focused solely on his true passion of storytelling.
Nolan has published eighteen short stories that have been included in various anthologies and magazines since 2018. His short story, The Peddler & the Crow, won the Indian Writing Projects grand prize in 2023, and his short Story as the Banyan Tree Wept was short listed by IFP in 2024. Most recently, his novella Luna Hortus – 2336 won the Westland IF competition and is included in their anthology Between Worlds.
His first novel Memoirs of a Motorcycle Madman released in 2018, is a humorous collection of his motorcycle blogs that detailed his years travelling the country. In October of 2021, he released his debut crime thriller fiction novel, Blood & Brown Sugar. It was voted Best Fiction Novel 2021 by Literary Voice Magazine and awarded Best Crime Thriller 2021 by the SRG Lit Awards. Lee was also recognised by Ukiyoto Publishing House as 2021’s up-and-coming fiction author. The novel was optioned for a movie by Sanjay Gupta’s White Feather Films and is currently being translated by Rajhans Prakashan Publishing House for a re-release in Marathi. A Crate of Rags & Bones, a collection of macabre short stories, launched in December of 2022 and was praised by Neil D’Silva as being an un-put-downable read, and destined for the Indian bestseller list. It is currently is being narrated in Tamil for an upcoming audio book. Nolans latest novel, the sequel to Blood & Brown Sugar, Blood & Bombay Black, launched in January of 2024 to stellar reviews.
He is also a member of writing and critique groups in India as well as being the co-founder of a popular writer’s community, The Ink & Quill Collective where he serves as the senior fiction editor of their Bi Annual lit mag, Quillmark.
In his spare time, he conducts masterclasses on Building Believable Characters, and Writing Horror Fiction.
Nolan lives in Bombay with his wife, a sarcastic beagle named Sweeney Todd, and two very naughty motorcycles, Wilhelmina and Elvira.
Novels;
 Memoirs of a Motorcycle Madman, a collection of humorous travelogues.
 Blood & Brown Sugar, A crime thriller novel.
 A Crate of Rags & Bones, A collection of macabre short stories.
 Blood & Bombay Black, A crime thriller novel.
 Luna Hortus, A Sci-Fi Horror.

Short Stories;
 Sabaat of the Kali Dayaan, in the Chandrayarn - Spin to the Moon Anthology.
 A Wolf by Any Other Name, in the HellHounds Anthology.
 Hearts of Gold and Ash, in the Abandoned House Anthology.
 The Last Farewell, in the My Hearts Sunshine Anthology.
 Picklestich & Candyfloss, in the Nocturnal Echoes Anthology.
 Stolen Dawn, in the When Goddesses Walked the Earth Anthology.
 Reapers Pass, in the Vanishing Eden Anthology.
 The Devil & the Deep Blue Sea, Of Nightmares & Shrieks Anthology.
 Sonata in the Night, Bagfull of Stories Anthology.
 Dickie, Dead, Done, Bagfull of Stories Anthology.
 The Mill Creek Drowning, Ink & Quill Magazine.
 The Sculptor's Daughter, Nomadology Magazine
 Don’t Call Me Madeline, MoonLit Gateway Magazine


Of Note:
 Shortlisted – 2024, The Indian Film Project
 Grand Prize Winner – 2023, The Indian Writing Project

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
19 (51%)
4 stars
17 (45%)
3 stars
1 (2%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Harsh Tyagi.
879 reviews20 followers
March 25, 2023
Such an eerily beautiful cover, it's totally eye catching and intriguing enough for me to pick up this book, and I could stare at it for hours! The fact that I'm a sucker for collections of short stories just makes it easier. The book's blurb just intrigues me even more, by claiming that the book has been curated to frustrate our slumbers and incite insomnia, so I decided to grab this one up, and read it at night, just like I always do.

With twenty short stories ranging in the genres of thrillers, murder suspense, dark drama, horror as well as dystopian suspense, this one is a delight to read. Packed with stories each rich in vocabulary, I had to sit with a dictionary for this one. The stories are all unusual, unexpected, rich in dark themes and creepiness. Each story has the perfect length, the suspense and twisted ending as well as several of them manage to give those chills!

The first story makes the perfect setting and got me excited about what's coming next. Delving down the book, each story was as different from the other, yet they make a brilliant collection of short stories written in an interesting way. I'm keen on reading more from the author!
Profile Image for Life Changer.
128 reviews
February 17, 2023
You desire exhilarating reading? Sincerely, you've got it here. Horrifying, gloomy, bereaved, eerie, or startling? You can choose.

"The Crate of Rags & Bones" by L.A. Nolan is a collection of short stories which includes different genres like thriller, suspense, horror, murder and drama.

—"To all the creaky floor boards in the attic, bumps in the night from the basement, and flicks of shadow just over my shoulder. I adore you."
Lol, this dedication is my most favorite part from the book!

This collection of short stories is both enjoyable and captivating. Perfect for those who enjoy reading short horror stories.

The standouts to me were:

'Sabbat of the Kali Daayan' was, for me, a beautifully told horror story/tale. It was a tight story with a spooky and intriguing plot. I wish it had a bit more depth. Although it is classified as Horror, I don't know whether I should call it so. At some part of the story, I was a little anxious. That's it. But somehow I loved the story.

'While Horse & Hero Fell' was also interesting because of the storyline. It was a dark drama where James play the main character. I was kept guessing by this mind-bender because I had no idea where it was going. The narrative made sense and moved along easily.

I shouldn't have chosen two favourites from this collection, because all of the stories were strong in their own way. These collection of short stories keep getting more eerie and terrifying and this one can make your heart and breathing rate erupt.

I had a few minor issues with it, in particular the less scary elements. So, a word of caution: you could be let down if you enter this novel expecting to be really really scared. What did jump out at me was the beauty of L.A. Nolan's writing. It's not always simple to read. I was able to truly get into each story after the first page or so, though, and it got much easier to read after that.

This collection is ideal if, like me, you're looking for a quick, dark read before bed. You can pick and choose a short story every night.
Profile Image for Bibliomane.
295 reviews2 followers
February 19, 2023
I was eager to read "A Crate of Rags and Bones" by L.A. Nolan because I enjoy reading horror and suspense novels. I was not let down by the collection of stories that were described in the book as being sure to keep me up at night. The 20 tales in this anthology, each of which spins its own terrifying tale, are definitely dark and frightening.

The stories combine tension, murder, mystery, and horror, making for a really entertaining read. Each story is distinct and expertly written, from the witches cackling as they recapture their youth to the snarling coy wolf fighting for existence. The stories are set across several nations, continents, and historical periods, which increases the collection's range and richness.

It is simple to become lost in the world of each tale because the characters are well developed and the plots are captivating. The rich descriptions of each scene and character drew me into each story's world and gave me the impression that I was actually there. The stories are well-paced and written in a clear, evocative way that keeps me on the edge of my seat right up to the very end.

The compilation is not for the timid, therefore I advise readers to approach with extreme caution. The stories are intended to disturb your sleep and cause insomnia, and they are successful in doing so. You won't be able to sleep because of how terrifying and spine-tingling the stories are.

For those who enjoy horror and suspense, "A Crate of Rags and Bones" by L.A. Nolan is a must-read. The stories in this collection are excellently written and well-made, and they'll keep you up at night. The stories are interesting, varied, and worth reading. This book is for you if you want to read something tense and disturbing.
Profile Image for Kanika Sharma.
Author 63 books18 followers
December 26, 2024
L.A. Nolan is a Canadian writer who is now settled in India. An avid biker, he has previously written a Crime thriller.A Crate of Rags and bones is his attempt towards the horror genre. It’s a collection of short Horror stories.What I liked about the book:-

🖊️ Good use of Grammar and Vocabulary. Especially the latter is extensive.

🖊️Each Crate/ story is of decent length. Neither too short nor too long.

🖊️There is an expected yet unexpected twist at the end which is quite O Henry style.

🖊️Even in the horror genre, author touches different subgenres like gothic, mystery, occult etc. I did like the mosaic of Horror it creates.

What could have been better:-

🖊️There is an attempt to make book inclusive for Indian Audience in certain stories that totally look misfit and forced because the rest of the feel of book is very western in terms of concepts and monsters.

🖊️Adding on to above, I wish author did a little more research on the Indian concepts that he included. For example one of the stories refer to Goddes Kali as a Dayan which is not only misleading but quite hurtful and disrespectful to the sentiments of believers.

🖊️ I am all for brevity is the soul of a wit but not at the cost of paragraph connectivity. For a few stories in this book I felt a little something is missing/ can be added between paragraphs.Overall

Overall it’s a decent travel read:- quick and satisfying. There are two stories that enjoyed in particular Crate I-Nitish Knew and Crate 1 and Crate 17- Protocol Six
Profile Image for Shahitiya Pathak.
565 reviews14 followers
February 26, 2023
Having previously read other works by the author, I was eager to get my hands on this eerily amazing book.

It goes without saying that I'm not a huge fan of the horror genre because it keeps me up for several nights without a good night's sleep, but I do enjoy it because I love the way the entire story plot is developed using a creative mind, thinking and imagining some evil and ugly creatures that actually never exist.

Take a moment to admire the book's cover. A fan of horror, excitement, suspense, and a really strong tale storyline would definitely want to try this book.

The fact that this book doesn't contains a single story but it's a collection of short stories; to be precise 20 stories, made me pick this book up. These 20 stories are enough to send chills down the spines.

Author didn't disappoint me, this book was equally good as his other books were. You'll find yourself completely immersed in these stories from the moment you guys will start reading it.

I took bit time to read the entire book, one story at a time. Every story was flawless from the beginning till end. The stories' narration gave them a more realistic and eerie appearance.

The novel has excellent language throughout. You must read this book at least once; you will adore it. You should also try some of his other works.

664 reviews4 followers
March 21, 2023
If you are a fan of horror and suspense, then "A Crate of Rags and Bones" by L.A. Nolan is the book for you. The collection of 20 short stories promises to keep you up at night, and it definitely delivers. The author has a knack for crafting vivid imagery and creating an immersive experience for the reader.

Each story is unique, and the characters are well-developed. The author takes the time to create a backstory for each ghost, making them feel like real individuals rather than just spooky entities. The stories are based on true events, which adds an extra layer of creepiness to the read.

While the book may not have the edge-of-your-seat thrilling situations that some horror fans crave, it still manages to keep you engaged and entertained. The writing style is concise and to the point, making it easy to get lost in each story. The tales are spine-chilling and will leave you feeling uneasy long after you finish reading.

Overall, "A Crate of Rags and Bones" is a great addition to any horror lover's collection. The stories are well-crafted and the writing style is engaging. Whether you're a seasoned horror fan or just starting out, this book is definitely worth a read.
71 reviews2 followers
March 24, 2023
This book is a collection of twenty tales that will haunt you long after you finish reading them. The stories are a perfect blend of horror, suspense, and mystery, making for a gripping read. The author's skillful storytelling and vivid descriptions bring each story to life, creating an immersive reading experience.

The characters in each story are well-crafted and relatable, making it easy to empathize with their struggles and fears. The stories are diverse, taking place in different parts of the world and time periods, showcasing the author's ability to create unique and captivating settings.

The writing style is crisp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the horrors that lurk within each tale. The pacing of the stories is spot-on, building tension and suspense until the chilling climax.

While this collection is not for the faint of heart, fans of horror and suspense will be thoroughly satisfied. The stories are designed to keep you up at night, with their eerie and unsettling themes. Each tale is a haunting reminder that the darkness within us can be just as terrifying as the horrors that exist in the world around us.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Agirlwithherbooks.
319 reviews14 followers
February 1, 2023
A crate of Rags and Bone
Written by L A Nolan

Do yourself a favour and try to read a good horror book before bed, there's nothing like a good scary read to keep you up at night.
L A Nolan has pulled together a collection of 20 deliciously chilling horror stories.
Each story is unique, with yarns spun across multiple timelines, spanning numerous countries and continents to draw taut your tether to comfort and reality.

The author has mastered the knack of infusing dread with everything he writes, I feel these stories penned by him retain the power to drag the reader of into the story. Not every story was scary, but it was filled with mystery, danger, doom, evilness and disturbing.

Each story reminds us how little control we actually have, the writing is spine chilling and each story left me feeling unsettled at same time fascinated me to delve deeper into the stories. I didn't know where Nolan would take the each story next, and as the stories naturally unfolded I was stupified.

Overall it was a pretty decent read for me.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Profile Image for Anurag Kumar.
731 reviews8 followers
February 12, 2023
The book A Crate of Rags & Bones by L.A. Nolan.

This is a compilation of 20 hauntingly suspenseful horror stories, each with its own distinct style and timeline, covering various countries and continents. These tales are sure to send shivers down your spine and tighten your grip on comfort and reality.

This book is a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling and suspenseful experience. The author's writing style is exceptional and the stories are perfectly crafted, making for a truly enjoyable read. With its captivating storyline and well-polished editing, this book has an irresistible charm that will make you want to pick it up and start reading right away.

In chapter 9,Author has shared a police report of a that was recovered from metropolitan police. Later, a suspect was interrogating by the police and that conversation was written in dialogue writing format.I Like reading this way.it made me more curious of what will happened?

Each story is unique and takes place across different time periods, covering various countries and continents. They will test your sense of comfort and reality, whether it's in India, Canada, Romania, or England and whether you're looking back at a Victorian past or facing a bleak future. These tales are meant to bring fear and terror to your heart.

The Language of the book is lucid and simple.Narration is good.

Happy Reading!
322 reviews5 followers
February 21, 2023
Pros:
I love the depiction of the sinister situations which the author has crafted for every story. Each 'crate' comes with a distinctive story laced with eerie and spine-chilling moments which has the ability to fill the readers with dread and trepidation.
That is exactly what a horror plot should do.

2) I loved the way the author has creatively described the sound effects and the reactions of the characters in the book which can be very challenging as the readers can only imagine the sound and not hear or see it visually.
I could literally feel the sweat dripping down my spine like some of the characters.

3) Which brings me to my follow-up praise for the author in terms of the literary talent. The narration is on-point and the literature is created beautifully and tastefully.

👎Cons:
The only drawback for me is that the stories ended too soon.😅

🌟Overall, a highly recommended read for all the horror lovers who can enjoy the roller coaster ride of spookiness and hair-raising scenarios.
Profile Image for Abhishek Pathak.
525 reviews4 followers
March 18, 2023
The pace of this book is fairly quick, and it is definitely a page-turner with a twisty climax at each story. What a truly outstanding book. The blurb on the back of the book and the front cover caught my attention. It was simply incredible. Nothing like an engrossing dark drama or criminal thriller to keep you up late at night devouring pages. The story's opening twists and turns catch the reader and lead them on a thrilling and fascinating trip. It is a collection of various tales, including drama, horror, and murder-suspense stories.Each story is distinctive in itself, with threads woven across many timelines, plot of the stories has been set in number of nations and continents.

The story plot is totally unique, and it is expertly narrated, which really wowed me. The author's writing style is pleasant and balanced, and he has put forth a significant amount of work. The growth of the characters is great. The author has meticulously organised everything, leaving no loose ends but plenty of unexpected twists and turns. It will, without a doubt, keep readers flipping pages.
Profile Image for Gaurika Gandhi.
218 reviews7 followers
April 1, 2023
PS: I would keep my surroundings in check after having read this book.  

L.A. Nolan might be one of the best horror story writers of the present time. “A Crate od Rags and Bones” is my very recent read by him and I cannot stop thinking about it. So, let me talk about it, okay? This book has 20 crates, which means 20 horror stories which had me dripping in sweat and anticipation. There is always a new thing in each story, a new scaring character.  

The writing style is quite good and easy to comprehend. The situations, indeed, keep you wanting more because that is what keeps the reader hooked to the book. I like that it is in short story format because that makes it more compelling and quicker to read. And if there is someone who has read the whole book in a go, please get a psychiatrist. I'm joking. Just emphasizing that this book is a heavy doze.  

It is an overall rollercoaster of thrill and suspense. I highly recommend it to beginners who want to get hooked and not stop reading!  
26 reviews2 followers
April 3, 2023
This is a compilation of 20 short stories that succeeds on its promise to keep you awake at dusk.
The characters are well-developed, and each story is extraordinary. Each ghost has a backstory that the author takes the time to develop, giving them the feeling of being genuine people rather than merely creepy objects. The fact that the stories are based on actual events gives the reader an extra layer of unease.

The author has mastered the art of evoking dread in everything he writes, and I get the impression that the stories he has written still have the ability to draw the reader into the narrative. While not all of the stories were frightening, they were all filled with mystery, danger, destruction, monster, and upheaval.

Each component has excellent writing. Surprisingly, the tension is kept high right to the very end. The conclusion of the tale is amazing. The plot of the book moves quickly.

The language in the book is superb throughout.

#bookishmeal #read #review #bookstagram #bookphotography
Profile Image for Manisha Gurnani.
1,183 reviews46 followers
February 8, 2023
📚 Rating: 4.4/5️⃣

| BOOK REVIEW | - 🍁 The Book, A Crate of Rags and Bones by L.A.Nolan , Is a Collection of Short Stories.
🍂

🍁 The Author has written Stories like  and such An Intriguing and Refreshing Topics. The stories are mysterious and thrilling.
🍂

🍁 The Stories Are Fictional in Nature Yet the Writing Style of the Stories Is So Impressive That a Reader Would Feel That Events Are Happening in Real in Front of Him/her.
🍂

🍁 Each and Every Scene Is Written with an Intricate Details. The Imagination Behind the Story Is an Impeccable. The Execution of That Imagination Is Done Wonderfully.
🍂

🍁 The Language of the Book Is Lucid. The Writing Style of the Book Is Gripping. The Cover of the Book Is Fantastic. The Title of the Book Is an Intriguing.
🍂

🍁 The Stories are Refreshing to be Read. The Plot of all the Short Stories is an Intriguing. The Author has done Fabulous work by Writing Realistic and an Exciting Short Stories.
🍂

| PERSONAL INSIGHT | - 🌸 The Book is a Good Pick For those who Like to Read Short Stories.
Profile Image for Dr. Devanshi Joshi.
334 reviews13 followers
April 1, 2023
Format- Kindle
Pages- 267

I often prefer short books & short stories in a while to freshen up & get out of a reading slump & I don't regret picking this one up.

These crates are filled with 20 dark tales that have been woven by L.A Nolan in about 267 pages specifically to frustate the slumber & incite insomnia.

This book is a collection of about 20 gruesome short stories. Every story is unique with multiple timelines & spanning different countries & continents like India, Canada, England , Romania. Also covering the Vicatorian Past & the omnibus glow of dystopian future. From the first to the last it keep me all hooked with its spookiness.

The stories contain almost everything, horror, mystery, murder & suspense. Each story is extraordinary will well characterization. The language is easy with polished vocabulary yet understandable for all with thriller, drama, horror as well as dystopian suspense.

Highly recommended !!!

Happy reading ^_^

Profile Image for Review with Sohini.
147 reviews4 followers
January 28, 2023
It's not everyday that you come across such a well-crafted horror story collection where the storylines and their treatment is so diverse and yet rich with expression. I felt like being taken on a ride across spine tingling settings, meeting characters that gnaw at my nerves and haunt my dreams and the climax of each of the stories made me gasp. It's a non stop entertaining book and the writing is very expressive indeed!
I was glad to note the brillant level of editing of this book that just enhanced the reading experience, for these days that is one aspect that's lacking in most short story collections.

It's hard to pick a favourite but I just can't keep those cackling daayans out of my mind, so Sabbat of the Kali Daayan is right up there on my list. A Wolf by Any Other Name was just as enjoyable

Highly recommended for any horror and mystery lover.
192 reviews3 followers
February 4, 2023
I would love to talk about the portray this book has done to me. Like why are these 20 stories of thriller made me so much enthusiastic to complete the book. It was such a good read overall as it made me get off my feet for every story. The thing i would like to talk about was the final page and the end of each and every story. It was such a good time ti explore you thoughts and get your brain out. Thinking and thinking for every story was a successful part of my read. I didnt think i would be this much good and i truly understand how author wants to make us feel pressured with suspense while the whole read.

The overall book was very amazing for a good start and the selection of a good genre make people choose the better ones and this book was my good choosen ones. I would love to suggest this book to everyone who are interested in this type of thriller series.
54 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2023
• Book name- A crate of Rags & Bones
• Author- L.A. NOLAN
• Genre- Horror fiction
• Pages- 268
• Language- English
• Rating- 5/5!

A Crate of Rags & Bones, collection of macabre short stories which contains 20 thriller tales. Not gonna lie, this is one of the best novel I've ever read. As I'm fond of dark thriller tales, this one gets in the top of my favourite list!
Well, Talking about the cover of book, it's so cool & amazinggg!
A perfect book with splash of horror, mysteries & thrills.
Each story is very captivating and unique. The twists and turns in each story will keep you stick to to the book till the end.I was getting goosebumps while reading the book.
The author is very creative, I must say!
Overall I wanna let y'all know that this book is worth buying. I would love to recommend this book especially to those who loves this genre.
Happy reading💫
Profile Image for Aakriti Srivastava.
61 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2023
"A Crate of Rags & Bones" by L. A. Nolan is a fascinating read that has collection of amazingly penned down short stories which carry a pinch horror, a splash of mystery and sprinkling of suspense. I was hooked from the first page till I flipped the last one.

Each story is penned down in an amazing way, contains different characters, different places etc all beautifully narrated. Do grab your copies now and go through it.

Now my opinion regarding the book presentation;
The cover was bright, shiny and attractive. Very well-designed and presented.
The title was a picky one. Well-suited and searched.
The writing style of the author was pretty simple, descent and reader-friendly.
The pace was good as it was a short read.
Narrations were apt.
Characters were strongly presented and well-built.

Overall, a great read and will definitely recommend.
17 reviews
February 22, 2023
A book for enthusiasts of horror fiction. It is a collection of twenty dark tales, spinning horror in your mind, as you peruse through every page. Each of the twenty tales is a unique and distinct experience serving darkness, offering an expository narration through diverse characters, theme, plot and setting. Please don't read it during night , as it is a text dealing with ominous and unsettling themes full of horror, shaking your thoughts inciting horror . However a meritorious aspect is that you feel the full throb of horror right from finishing the read of the first story. From my experience, it is rare that books serve horror, fulfilling the aspirations of its readers in its full potential. A monstrous setting is the ideal place here. It is a good recommendation, if you love horror to read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
36 reviews
May 30, 2023
There are bingeworthy shows and there are bingeworthy books. A crate of rags and bones is certainly the latter. From the very first stories one gets a sense of what's to come but, like a good show, the expectations are both served as well as subverted. The book starts with the story titled Nitish Knew Here There Be Monsters, a really fresh take on the classic monster under the bed trope, and from here everything just goes upward while at the same time enthralling the reader with clever subversions and ingenious contrivances of plot. One other story that I have to mention is A Wolf By Any Other Name. It's as much grotesque as it is enticing and also poignant. The atmosphere that the author has created with all the stories in this collection is commendable and I can't wait to read what he has to offer next.
18 reviews
February 21, 2023
A book full of thriller, suspense, murder & horror
Yes, That's "A crate of rags & Bones"

As a fan of this genre, it has become my one of the best reads!

This book by L.A Nolan is a collection of short stories which is absolutely amazing & you won't stop yourself from putting the book down.

From the witches cackling as they reclaim their youth to the snarling coy wolf fighting for survival, each story is unique & well written

The characters are well-developed and the stories are engaging.

The cover is very attractive & eye-catching. The title is uniquely spooky. It impressed me a lot.

If you love short spooky tales then must go for it! I totally enjoyed reading this.

Happy reading! 👻

My overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Jenny Writes.
1,223 reviews16 followers
March 1, 2023
Horror knows no limits when narrated and expressed with the best use of language to give the reader a flawless reading experience. The intensity of emotions and thoughts in a book is totally reliant on the use of words and language to give a pen down the same.

Here came my next read, which is the second read of mine by the author L.A. Nolan. A Crate of Rags and Bones will turn out to be one of the spookiest reads that will give you goosebumps at simultaneous points in time. Divided into 20 chapters or to be specific crates, each crate opens a world of fear, suspense, and chill in the air.

Although each story is turned out to be a 'masterpiece' let me tell you which one had my heart and soul. Crate 12 'Burial on Bear Island' talking about Mac, his cruel experiences with his father, his love for his dogs and what lays ahead is a story that will give you fear backed up by tears.

Highly recommend to each one to indulge in the exceptional writing skills of the author. Wonderfully narrated.
Profile Image for Shruthi Inkit writings.
603 reviews13 followers
March 5, 2023
Book review 📚🔖
⭐My Rating - 4/5⭐

The book "The Crate of Rags & Bones" is an anthology by author L.A. Nolan.

It is a collection of short stories which includes not just different topics but different genres like thriller, suspense, horror, murder and drama.

It consists of 20 short stories which are written in around 250 pages. Each story is unique, with multiple timelines, spanning numerous countries and continents. They have a huge suspense in it and it was carried out well throughout all stories.

The narrative was appreciated as it brought suspense elements in it. The character sketch was moderate and the plots were good too. Read this book and get to know about the Stories.The Book cover and title was very intriguing. Overall a happy read.

Profile Image for Thompson.
164 reviews3 followers
August 11, 2025
A Crate of Rags & Bones isn’t just a collection of dark tales, it’s a ticket to twenty different nightmares, each more inventive and chilling than the last. L.A. Nolan weaves horror, mystery, and suspense with a skill that makes you forget the safety of daylight.

From banshees and pirates to judgmental apple trees (yes, really), each story feels like peeking into a shadowy world you shouldn’t see, but can’t look away from. The settings leap across time and continents, keeping the reading experience fresh and unpredictable.

It’s deliciously eerie, creatively twisted, and written with a flair that makes even the smallest detail pulse with menace. If you’re looking for a book that will haunt your thoughts long after you close it, pry open this crate, you won’t regret it.
113 reviews1 follower
March 29, 2023
To all the creaky floor boards in the attic, bumps in the night from the basement, and flicks of shadow just over my shoulder. I adore you."

This is a book which has short collection of stories of the theme - horror which brings shivers down one's spine. The author has written each story with such detail that it captivated my attention.

Sabbat of the Kali Daayan', While Horse & Hero Fell' and the last story were some of the stories which i enjoyed. The suspense, magic and the mystery elements which play a vital role in the horror elements were very well balanced.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to one and all.
Profile Image for Susan_ Writeups.
591 reviews15 followers
May 30, 2023
This was a breathtaking collection of short stories. From the very first to the last story my attention was completely hooked and I couldn't do anything else until I finished all of them. Most of the stories were dark and ominous, but not disturbingly so. They also carried in them a warmth that surely came from the prose and the fluidity of the author's writing style. As I said, I liked almost all of the stories but there was one story in particular that caught my heart like none other. And that is The snows of Amboli. It was a delightful read and something I'd love to reread many times over.
Overall, an absolute engaging book that deserves to be read by everyone.
71 reviews2 followers
May 30, 2023
I had read and liked L.A Nolan's previous book and so picked this up with some expectations. And I wasn't disappointed. A Crate of Rags and Bones is a brilliant read.
There are twenty stories in this book and each one is different from the other. A myriad of characters, places, settings, and themes are explored and it isn't tough to guess the fact that Mr. Nolan is at the top of his game here. The stories just flow one after the other and never hits a speed bump. I especially liked The Grand Masquerade, The Dorodango Kid and Whispers From The Grave. All these three stories left me gasping and marveling at the author's ingenuity ans imagination. Highly recommended.
107 reviews
June 27, 2023
Honestly speaking! I had purchased this book by just seeing the cover page itself. As i love the genre of thriller i would like to describe this book in two words, it was just a goose bumps read and a suspense thriller. My storng opinion on these stories was the outline is perfect and amazing to be portrayed as a perfect story. I would like to make it good by keeping it simple as you will find more thrilling while reading the whole ones.

These 20 stories made my mind wake up all the time while I was trying to gather my thoughts about the story line. I would love to suggest this for everyone and grab this to wake up your brains.
493 reviews4 followers
March 30, 2023
Since childhood, I have been an admirer of horror series that created a great impact on my mind through their overwhelming presentation of stories. But with time I fell out of it, until I saw a read that captivated all my attention and broaden my imagination.
My recent read by L.A. Nolan brought back the same horror stories to engage me in. A Crate Of Rags and Bones is an engaging and fast-paced horror storybook that holds multiple stories to take your breath away.
Each story had its own charismatic effect on me as a reader but the one I couldn't overcome was Sabbat of the Kali Dayan. With the title itself, you can feel the chill running through the nerves. Every commitment either positive or negative requires a selfless endeavor.
Beginning with a call at midnight, that l towards the accomplishment of duty and takes you into a world of horror and suspense delivered at its best. Highly engaging book I must quote.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.