The nitty-gritty: A Southern Gothic setting, twisted family relationships and several intriguing mysteries make Revelator a must read for lovers of subtle horror. I know when I pick up a Daryl Gregory book I’m going to get something unique, and Revelator was very different from what I expected, but in a good way. This story […]
The nitty-gritty: Richard Gadz channels Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in this thoroughly original, gruesome thriller set in Victorian London, perfect for fans of classic horror tales. This was my first time reading a title from Deixis Press, and I have to say I’m very impressed, both by the quality of the story and the gorgeous hardcover […]
The nitty-gritty: Despite a couple of intriguing mysteries and an atmospheric setting, Summer Sons ended up being a disappointing read. The description and early blurbs for Summer Sons promised a queer, spooky, Southern Gothic ghost story, and the creepy cover made it even more appealing to me. And while it’s unabashedly queer and creepy and atmospheric […]
The nitty-gritty: A clever and surprising mystery steeped in myth, Comfort Me With Apples is told in Catherynne M. Valente’s unique style. If there’s one thing I can count on with Catherynne M. Valente, it’s that she always surprises me. Her stories are not your normal, run of the mill variety. Rather, she creates scenarios […]
The nitty-gritty: Five friends come together for a wedding in this spooky, Japanese-themed horror story. Nothing But Blackened Teeth certainly wins the creepy cover of the year prize, but does the story inside live up to the macabre artwork? In many ways, the answer for me is “yes.” Cassandra Khaw’s evocative writing style is perfect […]
The nitty-gritty: Strange and thoughtful, Aliya Whiteley’s latest short story collection is brimming with inventive world building and plenty of heart and emotion. Each time I pick up an Aliya Whiteley book, I’m reminded of just how unique her stories are, and I’m grateful for the hours I’ve spent with her weird but wonderful characters. […]
The nitty-gritty: Unsettling, creepy and emotionally devastating, Human Tenderloin is an excellent and varied collection of stories that will haunt you long after they’ve ended. Based on the rather creepy and disturbing cover of Human Tenderloin, I was happy to discover that the stories inside are equally as creepy and disturbing. I’m so glad I […]
The nitty-gritty: A bloody homage to the slasher film, My Heart is a Chainsaw is a slow build tale with an over-the-top ending that ultimately won me over. This is my fourth Stephen Graham Jones book, and I can now say without a doubt that even when he writes a book that doesn’t completely work […]
The nitty-gritty: Unsettling and bizarre, Eric LaRocca’s stories cut to the heart of relationships and buried human emotions. It seems Eric LaRocca is all over social media these days, or at least the social media accounts that I follow. So it was inevitable that I would eventually grab one of his books to read. I […]
The nitty-gritty: Short and powerful, In the River is a tiny, horrific masterpiece. I can’t believe I haven’t read anything by Jeremy Robert Johnson before now, but In the River might be the perfect place to start. This is a fairly short novella and can be read in a matter of hours, but it packs […]