Nicole Ramsden’s Reviews > Of the Flesh: 18 Stories of Modern Horror > Status Update
Nicole Ramsden
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Rosheen - 3 stars
Great vibes, great main character. I’m finding this with a lot of these short stories; that I want more from them. This was a good story, good foundation and background. But I think I wanted more in between that and the ending. The well felt almost abrupt/random, and I think a little more build up would’ve felt more suited.
— Jul 30, 2026 09:48AM
Great vibes, great main character. I’m finding this with a lot of these short stories; that I want more from them. This was a good story, good foundation and background. But I think I wanted more in between that and the ending. The well felt almost abrupt/random, and I think a little more build up would’ve felt more suited.
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Nicole Ramsden
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Mouse - 1 star
I confess, I might have overhyped myself for this last one, thinking that they might’ve saved the best ‘til last and unfortunately this was one of my least favourites. I can understand hypochondria/body horror/illness horror - it’s a scary topic, I’m not disputing that. But listing symptoms for half an hour, to end with a punchline that felt half arsed was going to be dull for anyone.
— Aug 15, 2026 10:29AM
I confess, I might have overhyped myself for this last one, thinking that they might’ve saved the best ‘til last and unfortunately this was one of my least favourites. I can understand hypochondria/body horror/illness horror - it’s a scary topic, I’m not disputing that. But listing symptoms for half an hour, to end with a punchline that felt half arsed was going to be dull for anyone.
Nicole Ramsden
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The Old Lion - 2 stars
A fine story, but I literally saw it coming from the word ‘dad’.
— Aug 15, 2026 10:25AM
A fine story, but I literally saw it coming from the word ‘dad’.
Nicole Ramsden
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Ghost Kitchen - 4 stars
I enjoyed this heaps. I was waiting for a reveal the whole way through and it delivered. I had no idea where it was going, never heard of this particular folklore but it was a brilliant introduction.
— Aug 15, 2026 10:24AM
I enjoyed this heaps. I was waiting for a reveal the whole way through and it delivered. I had no idea where it was going, never heard of this particular folklore but it was a brilliant introduction.
Nicole Ramsden
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Fairies - 3.5 stars
Good stuff. Concise, well written and relatable. Sometimes horror stories from kids’ point of view come across as strange or off putting, but this genuinely put me in mind of being a child again. I also was obsessed with magical beings as a kid so that probably helps.
— Aug 15, 2026 10:14AM
Good stuff. Concise, well written and relatable. Sometimes horror stories from kids’ point of view come across as strange or off putting, but this genuinely put me in mind of being a child again. I also was obsessed with magical beings as a kid so that probably helps.
Nicole Ramsden
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Bob-a-Job - 2.5 stars
Great vibes. Big 1984 inspo, really enjoyed the dystopian feeling, the despair and real-world comparison. Absolutely no idea what was going on in the end.
— Aug 15, 2026 10:12AM
Great vibes. Big 1984 inspo, really enjoyed the dystopian feeling, the despair and real-world comparison. Absolutely no idea what was going on in the end.
Nicole Ramsden
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Going Large - 2.5 stars
Not sure how to feel about this one either. I do like these modern horror angles; displaying the true nature of what we find scary or threatened by, but I sometimes question whether it’s really a horror story? I enjoyed the sentiment behind this, even though the idea that the protagonist ultimately finished the story as she started is a little biased. But still…
— Aug 06, 2026 09:54AM
Not sure how to feel about this one either. I do like these modern horror angles; displaying the true nature of what we find scary or threatened by, but I sometimes question whether it’s really a horror story? I enjoyed the sentiment behind this, even though the idea that the protagonist ultimately finished the story as she started is a little biased. But still…
Nicole Ramsden
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Carcinisation - 3 stars
Not much to say. Enjoyable, a bit predictable, but pretty fun.
— Aug 06, 2026 01:37AM
Not much to say. Enjoyable, a bit predictable, but pretty fun.
Nicole Ramsden
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The Smiling African Uncle - 4 stars
One of the most uncomfortable and sad stories I’ve ever listened to. Though not a traditional horror, it still made me do an audible shudder at the last line. Modern societal horror.
— Jul 23, 2026 01:51AM
One of the most uncomfortable and sad stories I’ve ever listened to. Though not a traditional horror, it still made me do an audible shudder at the last line. Modern societal horror.
Nicole Ramsden
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Shade - 3 stars
Enjoyed the concept, the ride was a little slow going, but the ending made up for it. Really loved the imagery at the end and the enormity of the descriptions.
— Jul 22, 2026 09:14AM
Enjoyed the concept, the ride was a little slow going, but the ending made up for it. Really loved the imagery at the end and the enormity of the descriptions.
Nicole Ramsden
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Waffle Thomas - 1 star
Tried to be a commentary about the control of men over women, of women’s fear, and was so heavy-handed in this that it was like listening to a feminist high school student giving a lecture - and then culminates in her becoming a bride? And the random other bits of story coming in just felt exactly that - random. Just what.
— Jul 21, 2026 02:00AM
Tried to be a commentary about the control of men over women, of women’s fear, and was so heavy-handed in this that it was like listening to a feminist high school student giving a lecture - and then culminates in her becoming a bride? And the random other bits of story coming in just felt exactly that - random. Just what.