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Dark Tide Mysteries and Thrillers #6
Vandal: Stories of Damage
Three unflinching novellas of cursed objects, folk horror, and dark family secrets…
The Deathplace Set by Kaaron Warren: Gloria inherits a set of cigarette cards, 24 beautifully illustrated, historically accurate cards depicting death scenes. Once she meets her future husband, they become obsessed with cards, determined to visit each of the locations, driven by a force they don't understand. They profit from this obsession, flipping haunted houses from dumps to delights, selling them for a good return. Their family grows and their five children join the exploration, learning to live with the ghosts, the constant moves, the underlying smell of death that follows them. The family vandalize each place they live in, knowing that you need to destroy in order to rebuild.
It's only once the ghost of a young boy is roused that the true history of the cards is revealed and the true sacrifice to obsession begins.
We Called it Graffitiville by Aaron Dries: Well intentioned virtue-hunters, Dan and Kiki, are two young Australian volunteers posted in Samoa. They met in-country, fell in love, and believe they are making a difference to the local communities. But over the past few months, the value of their work has been challenged. Their love has started to crumble, too. A trip to the southern part of the island proves to be a last-ditch effort to keep their relationship intact... but nature intervenes. A catastrophic tsunami obliterates the coastline, forcing Dan and Kiki inland. They seek refuge in an abandoned village on the side of a dormant volcano. Only this village--notable for the humanoid graffiti on the walls of its old churches and houses-- is not as empty as it at first seems. By night, these graffiti figures come alive and hunt Dan and Kiki through the surrounding jungle, desperate to drag them back to Graffitiville where the couple must participate in an ancient sacrificial rite.
Quicksilver by J.S. Breukelaar: Some curses don’t know how to die. Over two centuries, the artists, Ahava, Alex and Angel inherit a family curse passed down aunt-to-niece through the generations. The curse goes all the way back to a village in Poland where a mad uncle sold his soul to a witch for a shot at eternity. Although the witch gave his female heirs a fifth word to transform the curse into a blessing, this has forced them into a strange ritual of desecrating their own art in order to keep it sacred, an act of self-vandalism that consumes their bodies and their minds. A ritual that cannibalises their friendships, their love affairs, their lives, the darkness always just a brush stroke away. Until one day, one year and in one city, the curse comes too close to home, and the final niece learns the true meaning of wearing your he/art on your sleeve.
Perfect for fans of Folk horror books, Horror mystery, Haunted Houses, Mystery Thrillers, Australian Horror, the South Pacific, Survival Horror, curses, demonic possession, and deals with the devil.
Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.
The Deathplace Set by Kaaron Warren: Gloria inherits a set of cigarette cards, 24 beautifully illustrated, historically accurate cards depicting death scenes. Once she meets her future husband, they become obsessed with cards, determined to visit each of the locations, driven by a force they don't understand. They profit from this obsession, flipping haunted houses from dumps to delights, selling them for a good return. Their family grows and their five children join the exploration, learning to live with the ghosts, the constant moves, the underlying smell of death that follows them. The family vandalize each place they live in, knowing that you need to destroy in order to rebuild.
It's only once the ghost of a young boy is roused that the true history of the cards is revealed and the true sacrifice to obsession begins.
We Called it Graffitiville by Aaron Dries: Well intentioned virtue-hunters, Dan and Kiki, are two young Australian volunteers posted in Samoa. They met in-country, fell in love, and believe they are making a difference to the local communities. But over the past few months, the value of their work has been challenged. Their love has started to crumble, too. A trip to the southern part of the island proves to be a last-ditch effort to keep their relationship intact... but nature intervenes. A catastrophic tsunami obliterates the coastline, forcing Dan and Kiki inland. They seek refuge in an abandoned village on the side of a dormant volcano. Only this village--notable for the humanoid graffiti on the walls of its old churches and houses-- is not as empty as it at first seems. By night, these graffiti figures come alive and hunt Dan and Kiki through the surrounding jungle, desperate to drag them back to Graffitiville where the couple must participate in an ancient sacrificial rite.
Quicksilver by J.S. Breukelaar: Some curses don’t know how to die. Over two centuries, the artists, Ahava, Alex and Angel inherit a family curse passed down aunt-to-niece through the generations. The curse goes all the way back to a village in Poland where a mad uncle sold his soul to a witch for a shot at eternity. Although the witch gave his female heirs a fifth word to transform the curse into a blessing, this has forced them into a strange ritual of desecrating their own art in order to keep it sacred, an act of self-vandalism that consumes their bodies and their minds. A ritual that cannibalises their friendships, their love affairs, their lives, the darkness always just a brush stroke away. Until one day, one year and in one city, the curse comes too close to home, and the final niece learns the true meaning of wearing your he/art on your sleeve.
Perfect for fans of Folk horror books, Horror mystery, Haunted Houses, Mystery Thrillers, Australian Horror, the South Pacific, Survival Horror, curses, demonic possession, and deals with the devil.
Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.
- GenresHorrorNovellaAnthologies
206 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2023
8 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Kaaron Warren
154 books198 followersI wanted to be a writer from a very young age, and wrote my first proper short story at 14. I also wrote a novel that year, called “Skin Deep”‘, which I really need to type up.
I started sending stories out when I was about 23, and sold my first one, “White Bed”", in 1993. Since then I’ve sold about 150 short stories, seven short story collections and six novels.
I’m an avid and broad reader but I also like reality TV so don’t always expect intelligent conversation from me.
I started sending stories out when I was about 23, and sold my first one, “White Bed”", in 1993. Since then I’ve sold about 150 short stories, seven short story collections and six novels.
I’m an avid and broad reader but I also like reality TV so don’t always expect intelligent conversation from me.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 20, 2023
The Dark Tide series of novella anthologies from Crystal Lake Publishing continues with three more provocative tales, linked by the theme of vandalism (in any form) as well as written by Australian authors. The opening story is the most powerful of the trio, and one that is sure to be mentioned when awards time occurs.
THE DEATHPLACE SET by Kaaron Warren The first story was absolutely fascinating. I don't recall reading anything quite like this before - - cigarette cards/postcards of sites where death/suicide/murder occurred and ghosts may be haunting. This is like a mini-tour guide of odd spots in Australia. I wonder if these are pure creations by Warren or based on actual sites.
Throughout the story, I couldn't quite understand how a young couple could become so obsessed with visiting these places, although they managed to eke out a decent living by flipping the houses or renovating the cafe and operating it, etc. It's not until the final chapters that the driving force behind their pre-occupation, which also consumed most of their family, was revealed. The story was creepy and disturbing enough, but that revelation put everything into an even grimmer spotlight. This one will stay with me for awhile.
It's quite different and original, and should be an early contender for best horror novella of the year. I fully expect to see THE DEATHPLACE SET collected in some Best-Of-The-Year anthologies. I would rate this five stars only if I worried about these characters. Empathy is important to my reading, and I felt detached from these characters for much of the story - - not until the end sections where I felt sorry and worried for the narrator. FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.
WE CALLED IT GRAFFITIVILLE by Aaron Dries held my attention and interest for most of its' length. However, I thought the ending was an unexpected abrupt left turn that ended up disturbing what for me was a compelling narrative. The supernatural turn at the end just didn't work for me, and ruined the ending. This was a four-star story for me until then. Final rating:THREE STARS.
QUICKSILVER by J.S. Breukelaar starts out like a curious fairy tale/folklore involving a witch's gift that helps a poor villager gain fame and wealth as an in-demand artist. The secret is the four words he carefully conceals within the wet paint. His brave wife visits the witch and obtains a fifth word to counter some of the side effects of his cursed art.
Then the story morphs into a symbolic tale of the power of art on not just culture but the ability to shape a life. Across two centuries the story follows descendants of the original artist as they continue the concealed message within their art and have their very lives influenced and shaped by tradition and obligation. FOUR STARS.
THE DEATHPLACE SET by Kaaron Warren The first story was absolutely fascinating. I don't recall reading anything quite like this before - - cigarette cards/postcards of sites where death/suicide/murder occurred and ghosts may be haunting. This is like a mini-tour guide of odd spots in Australia. I wonder if these are pure creations by Warren or based on actual sites.
Throughout the story, I couldn't quite understand how a young couple could become so obsessed with visiting these places, although they managed to eke out a decent living by flipping the houses or renovating the cafe and operating it, etc. It's not until the final chapters that the driving force behind their pre-occupation, which also consumed most of their family, was revealed. The story was creepy and disturbing enough, but that revelation put everything into an even grimmer spotlight. This one will stay with me for awhile.
It's quite different and original, and should be an early contender for best horror novella of the year. I fully expect to see THE DEATHPLACE SET collected in some Best-Of-The-Year anthologies. I would rate this five stars only if I worried about these characters. Empathy is important to my reading, and I felt detached from these characters for much of the story - - not until the end sections where I felt sorry and worried for the narrator. FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.
WE CALLED IT GRAFFITIVILLE by Aaron Dries held my attention and interest for most of its' length. However, I thought the ending was an unexpected abrupt left turn that ended up disturbing what for me was a compelling narrative. The supernatural turn at the end just didn't work for me, and ruined the ending. This was a four-star story for me until then. Final rating:THREE STARS.
QUICKSILVER by J.S. Breukelaar starts out like a curious fairy tale/folklore involving a witch's gift that helps a poor villager gain fame and wealth as an in-demand artist. The secret is the four words he carefully conceals within the wet paint. His brave wife visits the witch and obtains a fifth word to counter some of the side effects of his cursed art.
Then the story morphs into a symbolic tale of the power of art on not just culture but the ability to shape a life. Across two centuries the story follows descendants of the original artist as they continue the concealed message within their art and have their very lives influenced and shaped by tradition and obligation. FOUR STARS.
February 16, 2023
Any one of these stories would be worth the price of admission but all three in one book is a rare treat. Here are three of the best dark fiction authors working today writing at the absolute top of their games. Each story is a powerhouse - compelling, disturbing, unsettling, unputdownable. I consumed this triple novella collection in a fugue of wonder, and so will you. Best book I've read in ages.
February 18, 2023
Sometimes Horror comes up-front and in-your-face, such as Jump scares in Slasher films. Other times, it approaches subtly, on little cat paws like the fog. Rarely, Horror is so well-concealed that it's slashed you to ribbons before you realize it's present. Such is the case with Kaaron Warren's "The Deathplace Set," the initial story in Dark Tide Vol. 6, VANDAL: STORIES OF DAMAGE. Set in Australia, the story's eponymous focus is on a morbid but apparently fascinating and magnetic set of "cigarette cards," collector's items, which portray a series of bizarre death sites. With almost every page, Horror sneaked by me at first, and I found myself continually turning pages in reverse to check if I really had read what my mind told me I read. So continually I spouted, "WHAT??!"
By the time I had [not] recovered from the intense journey of Deathplace "Tourism," my Hydrophobia was assaulted by an out-of-nowhere Pacific Tsunami and the survivors' attempt at escape and rescue devolving into an otherworldly this-can't-possibly-exist-but-here-it-is-scenario proving that yes, there are worse deaths than almost instantaneous Drowning. So thank you, author Aaron Dries, for ensuring the unending nightmare. J. S. Breukelaar's implacable Horror commences in Medieval Poland with a heartfelt wish requested from the Darkness, and rolls like a Juggernaut into the future, to contemporary Society. There'll be sleepless nights for some time to come.
By the time I had [not] recovered from the intense journey of Deathplace "Tourism," my Hydrophobia was assaulted by an out-of-nowhere Pacific Tsunami and the survivors' attempt at escape and rescue devolving into an otherworldly this-can't-possibly-exist-but-here-it-is-scenario proving that yes, there are worse deaths than almost instantaneous Drowning. So thank you, author Aaron Dries, for ensuring the unending nightmare. J. S. Breukelaar's implacable Horror commences in Medieval Poland with a heartfelt wish requested from the Darkness, and rolls like a Juggernaut into the future, to contemporary Society. There'll be sleepless nights for some time to come.
February 12, 2023
I don't know why I should be surprised that I have unfailingly found nothing but quality from Crystal Lake Publishing, so as I started my journey with the ARC of "Vandal", in the "Dark Tide" series thread, I needn't have worried about being transported to another dimension again, where stories absolutely sweep you away, and you just know they are going to live with you forever. As, of course, I was!
This collection really is very special indeed. It's becoming sadly more rare, in a genre flooded by so much that's simply 'out there' for the reader to try to chose from, to find that special quality a truly unique story has, and they don't come much more unique than this collection. I have NEVER been so unable to put a book down in a long, long time, than when I started the opening tale, from Kaaron Warren - "The Deathplace Set". Little did I guess I was about to be consumed by one of the most unique stories I have read in 50-odd (and some of them very odd, indeed!) years of reading. As ever, I don't do spoilers in my reviews, but there is an exceptional talent at work here, which I am already hungry to try to discover more of. This original voice, and the tale it tells, will haunt you, obsess you, and consume you, then leave you still wanting more. To say that I loved it, is an absolute understatement. Kaaron Warren's story alone is most certainly not to be missed.
And just when you're recovering from the opener to this collection, along comes "We Called it Graffitiville" from the amazing Aaron Dries, whose work I first discovered here in the Darkest Depths of Crystal Lake Publishing a while back, now. Again, no spoilers, but what an absolutely awesome piece of writing, which so clearly shows how suddenly everything we think we are certain of, can disintegrate without warning. Some of the passages in this story with haunt me forever, and I say that from an ever increasingly cynical and certain view that I have read so much in the horror genre, that it takes something really extraordinary to actually achieve that, nowadays. Words seldom fail me, but trying to sum up the impact that this story has had on me, leaves me reaching for something that I know I can't attain, so I will simply say, read this for yourself, and hopefully you will be as submerged in it's depths as I have been. Just be prepared for an ending that will not let you go... Ever.
And last but by no means least, the final story in "Vandal" is the amazing "Quicksilver" , by J.S. Breukelaar. A sweeping tale, glorious and unashamedly narrated in the true origins of 'folklore' and all the wealth that it holds, this is a wonderful story spanning generations, and exceeding all expectations. I loved every character, and following their individual stories, which come together to give us something that is so much more than the sum of it's parts. Absolutely stunning stories, every single one, and I just know I am going to want to read them ALL, again.
I would go so far as to say these three stories are some of the best I have ever read in one collection. Ever. And that's why I will always return to anything that Crystal Lake Publishing House presents, because as time ticks by, there are fewer opportunities to fill in the spare hours I am gifted with, by reading truly quality stories, from amazing authors. And here, you simply can't (in my experience of everything I have read so far!) find better storytelling, anywhere. Joe Mynhardt has done it again, bringing "Vandals" to the discerning reader of the horror genre, and I absolutely salute his work, and that of all the team at CLP, and of course the dedicated authors themselves, who bring us lucky readers such superb work. Long may the Darkest Depths of Crystal Lake being us such superb work!
This collection really is very special indeed. It's becoming sadly more rare, in a genre flooded by so much that's simply 'out there' for the reader to try to chose from, to find that special quality a truly unique story has, and they don't come much more unique than this collection. I have NEVER been so unable to put a book down in a long, long time, than when I started the opening tale, from Kaaron Warren - "The Deathplace Set". Little did I guess I was about to be consumed by one of the most unique stories I have read in 50-odd (and some of them very odd, indeed!) years of reading. As ever, I don't do spoilers in my reviews, but there is an exceptional talent at work here, which I am already hungry to try to discover more of. This original voice, and the tale it tells, will haunt you, obsess you, and consume you, then leave you still wanting more. To say that I loved it, is an absolute understatement. Kaaron Warren's story alone is most certainly not to be missed.
And just when you're recovering from the opener to this collection, along comes "We Called it Graffitiville" from the amazing Aaron Dries, whose work I first discovered here in the Darkest Depths of Crystal Lake Publishing a while back, now. Again, no spoilers, but what an absolutely awesome piece of writing, which so clearly shows how suddenly everything we think we are certain of, can disintegrate without warning. Some of the passages in this story with haunt me forever, and I say that from an ever increasingly cynical and certain view that I have read so much in the horror genre, that it takes something really extraordinary to actually achieve that, nowadays. Words seldom fail me, but trying to sum up the impact that this story has had on me, leaves me reaching for something that I know I can't attain, so I will simply say, read this for yourself, and hopefully you will be as submerged in it's depths as I have been. Just be prepared for an ending that will not let you go... Ever.
And last but by no means least, the final story in "Vandal" is the amazing "Quicksilver" , by J.S. Breukelaar. A sweeping tale, glorious and unashamedly narrated in the true origins of 'folklore' and all the wealth that it holds, this is a wonderful story spanning generations, and exceeding all expectations. I loved every character, and following their individual stories, which come together to give us something that is so much more than the sum of it's parts. Absolutely stunning stories, every single one, and I just know I am going to want to read them ALL, again.
I would go so far as to say these three stories are some of the best I have ever read in one collection. Ever. And that's why I will always return to anything that Crystal Lake Publishing House presents, because as time ticks by, there are fewer opportunities to fill in the spare hours I am gifted with, by reading truly quality stories, from amazing authors. And here, you simply can't (in my experience of everything I have read so far!) find better storytelling, anywhere. Joe Mynhardt has done it again, bringing "Vandals" to the discerning reader of the horror genre, and I absolutely salute his work, and that of all the team at CLP, and of course the dedicated authors themselves, who bring us lucky readers such superb work. Long may the Darkest Depths of Crystal Lake being us such superb work!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2023
Vandal: Stories of Damage is a collection of 3 ominous stories by 3 authors.
I've never read anything quite like The Deathplace Set. This one pulled me in and kept me intrigued until the very end. A family, Jarrold, Gloria and their children, follow a set of cigarette cards, each card depicting a real building/place that had a murder or where a death took place. They move around, buying the place the card depicts, renovating it, living there and when it's time to go, they move on to the next place. They get used to the ghosts. They make a good living. Each chapter brings us closer to understanding where the cards came from and why they control them the way they do. A wonderfully disturbing tale.
We Called It Graffitiville: Daniel land KiKi are at the end of their relationship. Daniel (who is guilt-ridden by a past family secret) hopes a final hike in Pacific (Somoa) will bring them back together. "The wave came fast." They barely survive the tsunami that hits and just when they think hope is lost, they stumble upon a deserted village and see a figure of someone in the distance. They should have taken their chances with the tsunami. An unsettling story for sure.
QuickSilver begins long ago in Poland with an unhappy artist seeking out a witch to give him immortality for himself and his art. It passes from generation to generation of artists and ends in modern time with a young woman (in America) who has to make a hard decision about the curse and the future of the family. A very good, solid story.
I received a complimentary ARC from Crystal Lake Publishing in return for an honest review. Thanks for a great read!
I've never read anything quite like The Deathplace Set. This one pulled me in and kept me intrigued until the very end. A family, Jarrold, Gloria and their children, follow a set of cigarette cards, each card depicting a real building/place that had a murder or where a death took place. They move around, buying the place the card depicts, renovating it, living there and when it's time to go, they move on to the next place. They get used to the ghosts. They make a good living. Each chapter brings us closer to understanding where the cards came from and why they control them the way they do. A wonderfully disturbing tale.
We Called It Graffitiville: Daniel land KiKi are at the end of their relationship. Daniel (who is guilt-ridden by a past family secret) hopes a final hike in Pacific (Somoa) will bring them back together. "The wave came fast." They barely survive the tsunami that hits and just when they think hope is lost, they stumble upon a deserted village and see a figure of someone in the distance. They should have taken their chances with the tsunami. An unsettling story for sure.
QuickSilver begins long ago in Poland with an unhappy artist seeking out a witch to give him immortality for himself and his art. It passes from generation to generation of artists and ends in modern time with a young woman (in America) who has to make a hard decision about the curse and the future of the family. A very good, solid story.
I received a complimentary ARC from Crystal Lake Publishing in return for an honest review. Thanks for a great read!
February 11, 2023
Review Copy
Talk about globe-hopping! From Australia to Samoa to Poland and beyond...this was trippy. Ha!
This American had never heard of cigarette cards and was fascinated by this tale of the fantastic. I had been looking forward to Warren's latest work, but this was beyond my hopes.
The next story was about about house flippers; but nothing you have ever seen on cable tv.
The final tale was a Polish witch curse/blessing down the generations. People try and try for longevity don't they? And why?
This is an excellent addition to Crystal Lake Publications line of dark fiction and shouldn't be missed.
Talk about globe-hopping! From Australia to Samoa to Poland and beyond...this was trippy. Ha!
This American had never heard of cigarette cards and was fascinated by this tale of the fantastic. I had been looking forward to Warren's latest work, but this was beyond my hopes.
The next story was about about house flippers; but nothing you have ever seen on cable tv.
The final tale was a Polish witch curse/blessing down the generations. People try and try for longevity don't they? And why?
This is an excellent addition to Crystal Lake Publications line of dark fiction and shouldn't be missed.
February 6, 2023
The three stories in this anthology are totally weird - maybe too much so for me, as I really had to struggle to wrap my more practical mind around what was going on. I still have a nagging feeling I missed some of the finer details of the stories, especially of the first and second one, but they both managed to deeply disturb me. Good choice I didn't read them right before going to bed, as this is the stuff that would make me look over my shoulder at night and see scary things in the shadows. So I was relieved when I came to the last story, which had a more straight-forward approach, started with a great historical vibe and therefore was right up my alley. No wonder it also happens to be my favorite of the trio ;)
Overall, I am still amazed by the ongoing high quality this series keeps bringing up. Though the stories in 'Vandals' are completely different from what I usually choose for reading, I am so glad I took the challenge and let me be taken out of my comfort zone to discover some new (at least to me) grounds of horror. Thank you Crystal Lake!
Overall, I am still amazed by the ongoing high quality this series keeps bringing up. Though the stories in 'Vandals' are completely different from what I usually choose for reading, I am so glad I took the challenge and let me be taken out of my comfort zone to discover some new (at least to me) grounds of horror. Thank you Crystal Lake!
January 17, 2024
Three stories from three Aussie authors. Like most anthologies, it’s a mixed bag.
February 20, 2023
This volume (I read it as an ARC) contains three different tales written in different styles, but there are common threads throughout. They all delve into interpersonal relationships, and they're all creepy in the damage that's inflicted. In spite of - or perhaps because of - those wildly different styles of storytelling, I was engrossed through all three.
Kaaron Warren's The Deathplace Set follows the history of a family and the obsession that drives them. They travel from one damned place to another, driven by a disturbing pack of cards with far more power than anything ever imagined by Tarot. Warren does an excellent job of revealing how the inheritance of those cards consistently creeps deeper and deeper into the psyche of not only each family member, but the family unit as a whole. Each card reveals some horrific story from the past, and each one brings about some change in the family - this is a skillful weaving of stories within stories.
Aaron Dries's We Called it Graffitiville took me in a different direction. A non-linear timeline worked beautifully here, revealing elements of the story at the right time to form a cohesive tale. Daniel's insights reveal a damaged man, one who struggles to grasp the basics of any relationship and especially the romantic one crumbling through his fingers. His past comes into full clarity as the multiple horrors of the present are unveiled, and I'm pulled along for a dread-filled ride.
J.S. Breukelaar's Quicksilver covers the widest timeframe of any of these stories, a multi-generational epic that presents the coin-flip of blessing or curse. Here are elements of folklore brought together much like intermingled families, with an added twist of inheritance from aunt to niece and not directly through the bloodline. Each generation deals with the curse in their own way, and the tension ratchets up across the story. What is the cost of creation? What value can we place on the beauty of art?
I'll certainly be picking up the rest of this series.
Kaaron Warren's The Deathplace Set follows the history of a family and the obsession that drives them. They travel from one damned place to another, driven by a disturbing pack of cards with far more power than anything ever imagined by Tarot. Warren does an excellent job of revealing how the inheritance of those cards consistently creeps deeper and deeper into the psyche of not only each family member, but the family unit as a whole. Each card reveals some horrific story from the past, and each one brings about some change in the family - this is a skillful weaving of stories within stories.
Aaron Dries's We Called it Graffitiville took me in a different direction. A non-linear timeline worked beautifully here, revealing elements of the story at the right time to form a cohesive tale. Daniel's insights reveal a damaged man, one who struggles to grasp the basics of any relationship and especially the romantic one crumbling through his fingers. His past comes into full clarity as the multiple horrors of the present are unveiled, and I'm pulled along for a dread-filled ride.
J.S. Breukelaar's Quicksilver covers the widest timeframe of any of these stories, a multi-generational epic that presents the coin-flip of blessing or curse. Here are elements of folklore brought together much like intermingled families, with an added twist of inheritance from aunt to niece and not directly through the bloodline. Each generation deals with the curse in their own way, and the tension ratchets up across the story. What is the cost of creation? What value can we place on the beauty of art?
I'll certainly be picking up the rest of this series.
February 21, 2023
Three captivating novellas centered around an overarching theme of vandalism. Each is unique and unwinds in unexpected directions and towards uncertain conclusions. While the stories include the anticipated defacement of property, they also reveal deeper, more personal forms of damage and degradation. It is from these emotional wounds where the true horrors of the Vandal stories suppurate… and entertain. In the first story, the gutting, renovation, and sale of haunted properties has unforeseen consequences for a peculiar yet endearing family. The second concerns two young aid workers trying in vain to escape the pain of personal loss and finding themselves amidst a supernatural catastrophe. In the first two stories, the vandals are simply reckless or naïve people trying to make do given their family histories and personal circumstances. These pieces treat the concept of vandalism in new and unique ways (e.g., ghosts as vengeful property owners and Western aid workers as vandals of native culture). The third novella takes a more traditional, but no less entertaining, approach: the intentional defacement of artwork to alleviate the effects of a family curse. This was a splendid way to close the collection and I highly recommend this book to both experienced readers of dark fiction and those just beginning to explore the genre.
Van·dal /ˈvand(ə)l/ (noun): A person who deliberately destroys or damages public or private property.
Van·dal /ˈvand(ə)l/ (noun): A person who deliberately destroys or damages public or private property.
February 19, 2023
When I went into this novella collection, I was only familiar with one of the authors, but all three of them blew me away with powerful stories. Kaaron Warren's "The Deathplace Set" is a fascinating meditation on obsession and the way it can control lives. Warren structures this tale in a unique way that could have felt gimmicky in the wrong hands, but here it is handled expertly. Aaron Dries "We Call it Graffitiville" packs quite a punch. It starts out as ecological horror with a couple trying to survive a tsunami, but then takes a turn into something more otherworldly and terrifying. I love the parsed out glimpses into the main character's past, revealing quite a compelling character study. The final novella, "Quicksilver" by J.S. Breukelaar, is so rich for such a relatively short piece. It spans hundreds of years and many generations in a family with a curse tied in with the creation of art. It captivates and makes you think. These are three winners, making this book a must read.
February 19, 2023
Vandal is a book with three excellent novellas: The Deathplace Set by Kaaron Warren, We Call it Graffitiville by Aaron Dries and Quicksilver by J.S. Breukelaar. The Deathplace Set has a really unique structure as it has a series of short chapters, each about a cigarette card that impacts a family as they move from place to place. We Call it Graffitiville is a more intense novella that follows a couple on Samoa as a natural disaster strikes. Their escape route takes them to a place they would have been better off avoiding at all costs. Quicksilver is amazing - the book definitely ends on a high note, with a story of a family that has been cursed thru a number of generations. Highly recommended. I devoured the book.
February 19, 2023
Three stories by three authors and they have to write a story that shares one theme, in this case Vandel.
1st Story: A couple gets infatuated with a deck of Death place cards that are a collection of places that tragedies took place. Will this macabre obsession cause them to become part of the deck?
2nd story:. A young man has volunteered to be a part of an Aid relief project for an isolated village in a foreign country. But this village has a very ancient past that may decide his future.
3rd Story: Follow an artist's curse through many generations that will cause great fortune as well as sacrifice.
This is a great series that just keeps getting better and better!!
Got this as an ARC but my review is my own.
1st Story: A couple gets infatuated with a deck of Death place cards that are a collection of places that tragedies took place. Will this macabre obsession cause them to become part of the deck?
2nd story:. A young man has volunteered to be a part of an Aid relief project for an isolated village in a foreign country. But this village has a very ancient past that may decide his future.
3rd Story: Follow an artist's curse through many generations that will cause great fortune as well as sacrifice.
This is a great series that just keeps getting better and better!!
Got this as an ARC but my review is my own.
February 22, 2023
The subtitle “Stories of Damage” nicely summarizes the thematic content of the book. Three novellas by three different authors, where obsession, grief over the loss of family or a curse that spans generations generates a gloomy environment in which grief and damage are very present in the lives of its protagonists.
I highlight the novella Quicksilver by J.S.Breukelaar that could be separated into three very different sections but that manage to form a very attractive narrative: it begins as a traditional fairy tale, to move to a second stage of a possession story and ends with a tale of body horror.
I hadn't read many Australian authors, but if this book is a sample of the horror that is written there, I think I will have to investigate more writers from that country.
A highly recommended book and three authors to follow.
I highlight the novella Quicksilver by J.S.Breukelaar that could be separated into three very different sections but that manage to form a very attractive narrative: it begins as a traditional fairy tale, to move to a second stage of a possession story and ends with a tale of body horror.
I hadn't read many Australian authors, but if this book is a sample of the horror that is written there, I think I will have to investigate more writers from that country.
A highly recommended book and three authors to follow.
February 19, 2023
ARC review. Crystal Lake Publishing does it again with Vandal: Stories of Damage, the sixth book in the Dark Tide series. I have been a big fan of everything I’ve read from this publisher, and this series in particular has been a favourite. The three novellas in this collection were riveting from start to finish and I’m looking forward to reading more from all three authors. I’m already looking forward to the next instalment in the series! I have been a life-long fan of horror lit and I highly recommend this book and series to all fans of the genre.
February 20, 2023
Three dark tales…
Three excellent novellas packed into one kick-ass book! All three stories are well written and kept me turning pages. I loved the premise of the first story; a couple’s dark obsession with houses embedded in macabre pasts. The terror of the haunted village in the second story spooked me to the core. The final read was an intense ride along with a family dealing with a generational curse. All three stories will grab hold and keep you going late into the night. I’m looking forward to reading more from these fine authors.
Three excellent novellas packed into one kick-ass book! All three stories are well written and kept me turning pages. I loved the premise of the first story; a couple’s dark obsession with houses embedded in macabre pasts. The terror of the haunted village in the second story spooked me to the core. The final read was an intense ride along with a family dealing with a generational curse. All three stories will grab hold and keep you going late into the night. I’m looking forward to reading more from these fine authors.
February 12, 2023
Three great novellas from the good folks at Crystal Lake. The Deathplace Set by Kaaron Warren concerns a family obsessed with illustrated cigarette cards and the deadly consequences thereof. In We Called it Graffitiville by Aaron Dries we read of a pair of Australian volunteers who live through a tsunami only to experience terror in a haunted village. Female heirs of a multigenerational spell live and suffer with the consequences in Quicksilver by J.S. Breukelaar.
February 21, 2023
I was given an advanced reader copy for an honest review.
I enjoyed this collection. All the stories are disturbing in their own way. Just as I was hoping for in this kind of collection.
It’s a great addition to the series and worth a read. Each story unique and well chosen. Definitely five stars for me.
I enjoyed this collection. All the stories are disturbing in their own way. Just as I was hoping for in this kind of collection.
It’s a great addition to the series and worth a read. Each story unique and well chosen. Definitely five stars for me.
February 22, 2023
I have yet to read a bad book from Crystal Lake publishers, this book is no exception. I read it in two days.
It took me a while to get into the first story of the trilogy but it ended strong, an interesting premise.
The second was a bit different and unusual, highly enjoyable.
The third, well it had a few of the things I like most in a story, hags and curses.
Overall a strong set of stories. Looking forward to the next book in the Dark Tides series.
It took me a while to get into the first story of the trilogy but it ended strong, an interesting premise.
The second was a bit different and unusual, highly enjoyable.
The third, well it had a few of the things I like most in a story, hags and curses.
Overall a strong set of stories. Looking forward to the next book in the Dark Tides series.
February 24, 2023
Here are three very creepy stories that will keep you awake at night and make you think as well. The scares here are not what one might expect. No ghosts or goblins. No glowing eyes in your closet at night. Just a very good time in the horror realm. Damage actually best describes the underlying theme of this collection. Read it and enjoy.
February 19, 2023
A fantastic book that kept me interested all the way through. Worth it.
February 20, 2023
A obsession leads to danger. A curse that spans generations. The wrong refuge.
April 2, 2023
Three very different stories by three very different, talented writers.
The first, The Deathplace Set by Kaaron Warren is a great read. A love affair between Jarrold and Gloria begins over sets of cigarette cards, collected by Gloria's deceased dad, specifically one set depicting places where tragedy has struck. Together they visit sites on the cards to try and feel any ghostly presence at each location, staying at some locales longer than others, along the way discovering family secrets and coping with their own losses. Superb concept. Beautifully written.
We called it Graffitiville by Aaron Dries is the second story. Again, this is written well but hard to review without giving away too many spoilers!!
The story centres around Dan and Kiki, both Australian Corps volunteers. Dan is trying to escape a family tragedy that has created a deep rift between himself and his parents. Catastrophe in the shape of a tsunami occurs whilst Dan and Kiki are climbing up to the top of a volcano . To survive such a devastating event surely means nothing worse can happen as they wait to be saved......or could it?!!
The last story, Quicksilver by JS Breukelaar is a captivating tale involving historical folklore, fantasy horror and details the price some are willing to pay for fame... and for love. A generational curse passed down through the ages via the medium of art, right through to the modern day. This tale and the writing drew me in and left me wanting more
This trilogy of tales are magnificent, as I have come to expect from Crystal Lake Publishing. A solid 4.5 out of 5 from me
The first, The Deathplace Set by Kaaron Warren is a great read. A love affair between Jarrold and Gloria begins over sets of cigarette cards, collected by Gloria's deceased dad, specifically one set depicting places where tragedy has struck. Together they visit sites on the cards to try and feel any ghostly presence at each location, staying at some locales longer than others, along the way discovering family secrets and coping with their own losses. Superb concept. Beautifully written.
We called it Graffitiville by Aaron Dries is the second story. Again, this is written well but hard to review without giving away too many spoilers!!
The story centres around Dan and Kiki, both Australian Corps volunteers. Dan is trying to escape a family tragedy that has created a deep rift between himself and his parents. Catastrophe in the shape of a tsunami occurs whilst Dan and Kiki are climbing up to the top of a volcano . To survive such a devastating event surely means nothing worse can happen as they wait to be saved......or could it?!!
The last story, Quicksilver by JS Breukelaar is a captivating tale involving historical folklore, fantasy horror and details the price some are willing to pay for fame... and for love. A generational curse passed down through the ages via the medium of art, right through to the modern day. This tale and the writing drew me in and left me wanting more
This trilogy of tales are magnificent, as I have come to expect from Crystal Lake Publishing. A solid 4.5 out of 5 from me
February 25, 2023
What a strange disturbing collection this was. Three novellas of various degrees of vandalism, usually artistic, some with stronger connection to the theme than others but all hauntingly good.
Fans of literary, well-crafted and thought-provoking scary stories are sure to appreciate this one.
I like novellas. It’s oftentimes my preferred format. Their succinctness appeals to me. I love being able to read a story in its entirety on one sitting in a way that doesn’t take over the rest of the day. It’s also a terrific way to find new authors without the commitment of a novel-length work
Of the three authors collected here, I only read the last one. This book certainly served as a great introduction to the rest.
All are very talented, but their stories different enough to make varied impressions.
The first one lagged a bit in execution for me, but I loved the concept of death scene cards.
The second one, Samoa-set, was my favorite. An unputdownable terrifying tale of good intentions meeting stark reality.
The third one, a dark fairy tale of the transformative power of art and its replications for artists as it echoed throughout generations is a trip of striking beauty. And yes, it is trippy.
All in all, an all-star lineup and a very good read. Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a free copy for review purposes. The publisher’s generosity, while appreciated, had no effect on this reviewer’s opinions.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
Fans of literary, well-crafted and thought-provoking scary stories are sure to appreciate this one.
I like novellas. It’s oftentimes my preferred format. Their succinctness appeals to me. I love being able to read a story in its entirety on one sitting in a way that doesn’t take over the rest of the day. It’s also a terrific way to find new authors without the commitment of a novel-length work
Of the three authors collected here, I only read the last one. This book certainly served as a great introduction to the rest.
All are very talented, but their stories different enough to make varied impressions.
The first one lagged a bit in execution for me, but I loved the concept of death scene cards.
The second one, Samoa-set, was my favorite. An unputdownable terrifying tale of good intentions meeting stark reality.
The third one, a dark fairy tale of the transformative power of art and its replications for artists as it echoed throughout generations is a trip of striking beauty. And yes, it is trippy.
All in all, an all-star lineup and a very good read. Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a free copy for review purposes. The publisher’s generosity, while appreciated, had no effect on this reviewer’s opinions.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
September 21, 2024
This book is made up of three unrelated novellas from three different authors, all around a similar theme. Very compelling and disturbing reading.
I would category these stories gritty urban horror and they have a unnerving and unconfutable feel to them unlike any other book I’ve read before, it did give me a similar feeling to the movies ‘once were warriors’ from 1993 and ‘Romper Stomper’ from 1992, both are iconic Australia / New Zealand movies.
The only thing I would have liked to see was if the cause of the horror in all three stories were somehow linked, I did suspect this was the case while reading the last story ‘Quicksilver’ by J.S. Breukelaar, because it had a similar medium for the horror as the first story, ‘The Deathplace Set’ by Kaaron Warren.
I would category these stories gritty urban horror and they have a unnerving and unconfutable feel to them unlike any other book I’ve read before, it did give me a similar feeling to the movies ‘once were warriors’ from 1993 and ‘Romper Stomper’ from 1992, both are iconic Australia / New Zealand movies.
The only thing I would have liked to see was if the cause of the horror in all three stories were somehow linked, I did suspect this was the case while reading the last story ‘Quicksilver’ by J.S. Breukelaar, because it had a similar medium for the horror as the first story, ‘The Deathplace Set’ by Kaaron Warren.
April 4, 2023
Vandal left me with a hole in my chest. The stories within are gut-punches to the soul. Each of the three tales are masterfully written by some of the best authors in horror. This book stuck with me (and to me) for days after I finished it. The stories are a mixture of beauty, love, terror and complete and utter devastation. I highly recommend.
March 3, 2023
Absolutely awesome!
October 24, 2023
Three different but equally excellent from three Australian writers. My personal favorite is by Aaron Dries, but each one is more than effective enough to give any reader chills.
December 15, 2023
Dream team! Loved these three very different speculative horror novellas about damaged families across generations and place.
April 24, 2024
Awesome
Great read. Original plots, new ideas and great writing. I enjoyed each of the books in this series. Highly recommend.
Great read. Original plots, new ideas and great writing. I enjoyed each of the books in this series. Highly recommend.
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