TOXIC CANDYWeldon Burge Smart Rhino Publications (May 1, 2024)Reviewed by Carson Buckingham This author’s work is always worth anyone’s time, and Toxic Candy is no exception. It’s a highly diverse horror collection, bouncing from the end of the world, a hungry sea monster, to a fun take on The Lone Ranger, and so much more. Each is a little gem, deftly plotted, into which the reader voluntarily plunges to explore the engaging depths of storytelling at its finest. Here are my favorites: “A Less than Gratifying Vacation in Paris”—a story of bored rich women who take up unusual entertai ..read more

Living in CemeteriesCorey Farrenkopf JournalStone Publishing (April 19, 2024) Reviewed by Andrew Byers Imagine a world superficially similar to our own in which we have absolute proof that ghosts are real because we can all see and interact with them on a daily basis. In this world, we know that all of our loved ones, all of our ancestors, all of our descendants, and ourselves, die and then return as incorporeal spirits able to communicate with the living. How would that change our society? How would it change the course of your own life? The world of Living in Cemeteries differs in a few key ..read more

Den of the Wererats Terry Miller Gloom House Publishing (August 7, 2022) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy Devin is a pizza boy down on his luck and Kelly Tate is the unluckiest girl at closing time. Both are turned by the den of wererats led by their maniacal leader, Jonathan and both are betrayed by the den, learning quickly that the only wererat you can trust is yourself or possibly, The Mother. But can you really trust The Mother? Terry Miller’s Den of the Wererats is a fun, fast-paced rat brawl with more teeth than Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh. If you’re looking for high fantasy with a backst ..read more

Babylon TerminalGreg F. Gifune JournalStone Publishing (September 28, 2018) Reviewed by Andrew Byers Buckle up for a wild ride through the twisted corridors of the mind in Greg F. Gifune’s Babylon Terminal. In this gripping tale, Gifune masterfully constructs a world that is equal parts haunting and exhilarating, where darkness reigns supreme and hope flickers like a distant flame. I found this to be a very unusual Gifune novel because his work is typically very grounded in the real world—sure, he often includes supernatural elements and cosmic horror, but Gifune’s work is mostly set in our wo ..read more

This Mortal Coil Cynthia Asquith Solar Press (March 2024) Reviewed by Mario Guslandi Originally published in 1947 by the legendary Arkham House, the present collection includes nine weird and macabre stories penned by Lady Cynthia Asquith ( 1887-1960), a British author and anthologist especially devoted to ghostly and supernatural tales. Writing in an elegant yet straightforward style, Asquith captures the reader’s attention from the very first paragraphs and is able to hold it until the last sentence. Not all the stories in the volume are quite memorable, but most of them are truly excellent ..read more

Orphans of Wonderland Greg F. Gifune JournalStone Publishing (July 27, 2018) Reviewed by Andrew Byers Originally published in 2015 by Samhain Publishing, Orphans of Wonderland was re-released by JournalStone in 2018. The protagonist of Orphans of Wonderland is Joel Walker, a journalist haunted by a dark history. Twenty years prior, he delved into the investigation of a ritual killing, a tale that captivated the masses during the Satanic hysteria of the 1980s. Walker’s pursuit of truth left him shattered, a victim of a nervous breakdown, forcing him into a reclusive, small-town existence. Joel ..read more

The ReformatoryTananarive Due S&S/Saga Press (October 31, 2023) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham From page one, The Reformatory pulled me in and didn’t let go until I reluctantly turned the last page. This book was a real eye-opener for me, as I knew very little about the Jim Crow South prior to reading it. It is categorized as a horror novel, and there is a supernatural element to it, but the real horror emanates from those in charge at The Gracetown School for Boys, where atrocities run rampant under the guise of so-called reform. A black child, Robbie Stephens, age 12, is sent there for ki ..read more

Children of ChaosGreg F. Gifune JournalStone Publishing (May 25, 2018) Reviewed by Andrew Byers In Greg F. Gifune’s Children of Chaos, the past becomes an inescapable specter, haunting the present with its sinister secrets and unrelenting grip. Gifune, a virtuoso of psychological horror, embarks on a mesmerizing journey that traverses the treacherous terrain of guilt, redemption, and the forces that compete for influence within the human soul. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a torrential downpour, as three teenage best friends—Phil, Jamie, and Martin—stumble upon a mysterious str ..read more

Razored Land Charles Allen Gramlich Tule Frog Press (November 9, 2023) Reviewed by Andrew Byers In Charles Allen Gramlich’s riveting Razored Land, the world as we know it has been irrevocably altered by the cataclysmic aftermath of The Flux—an insidious genetic plague that has unleashed chaos and devastation on an unprecedented scale. Against this backdrop of desolation and despair, protagonist Jase Holland embarks on a perilous quest for survival and redemption, navigating a treacherous landscape teeming with monstrous mutations and malevolent forces. Postapocalyptic thrillers used to be a ge ..read more

Dead Girl, Driving and Other Devastations Carina Bissett Trepidatio Publishing (March 8, 2024) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy If the cover artwork by Mario Nevado doesn’t draw you in, the first story in Carina Bissett’s collection, Dead Girl, Driving and Other Devastations will. Imagine the most decadent dessert you’ve ever devoured, every delicious, delectable silky bite melting on your tongue times ten. Imagine the most sinful kiss you’ve ever had with your lover in a dark and forbidden place and that’s how yummy Ms. Bissett’s work is. She’s also intelligent, playful, and hilarious, so be prepare ..read more