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onsafari's review
tense
medium-paced
2.0
This anthology is well written, the stories were just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Death, Gore, Stalking, Child abuse, Blood, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Incest, and Vomit
librarylove4eva's review
dark
5.0
I love Bentley Little's work and this is no exception. Each story is prefaced with a short origin note from the author. Most of the stories in this collection were so creepy and affecting, I found myself releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding at the end! Also, love the last story. Less horror, but an excellent denouement to an excellent collection.
wellwortharead's review
3.0
The first word that comes to mind is inconsistent. This is a book that is definitely worth a read but not really worth the hard cover price that I paid. The stories that are good, are very very good. The ones that are not, are just bland. There are 10 short stories in this collection, and of those 10 "Brushing" "Happy Birthday Dear Tamara" "The Black Ladies" "The Pinata" and "Valet Parking" are the ones that stand out as very good. The other 5 were just so so, not very scary and left me feeling that the endings were not ever truly complete.
mjreutman's review
3.0
While I think that Little is one of the best horror novelists working in our time, I did not find his short stories lived up to his reputation.
The stories are original and creative, but they are not exceptionally scary or wacky, like Little is known for. Many of these stories are suitable for teens, and I would say readers could read most of these to their children without worry of extreme sex or violence.
'Happy Birthday, Tama' is one story that did stand out in this collection as wacky and creative. It will make you uncomfortable is some very fun ways. 'Brushing' is another that stuck with me, but the remaining stories did not grip me like he usually does.
This is a short quick read that can be done in only a few hours. If you are looking for some very light horror with some original story lines, this is for you.
The stories are original and creative, but they are not exceptionally scary or wacky, like Little is known for. Many of these stories are suitable for teens, and I would say readers could read most of these to their children without worry of extreme sex or violence.
'Happy Birthday, Tama' is one story that did stand out in this collection as wacky and creative. It will make you uncomfortable is some very fun ways. 'Brushing' is another that stuck with me, but the remaining stories did not grip me like he usually does.
This is a short quick read that can be done in only a few hours. If you are looking for some very light horror with some original story lines, this is for you.
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