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sea_caummisar's review
4.0
2020 reading challenge ( Anthology). This book was kinda awesome. The intro got me in the perfect mindset to journey into these stories. I absolutely loved some of the stories. And others were just okay. A few bordered too much into scyfy for my tastes. But that's how it is with any Anthology. This is the kind of book that you can't go wrong with. I did skip two stories after reading them about halfway through... But that's okay because it was such a long book so it still felt worthwhile.
vondav's review
4.0
Dark Places, Evil Faces volume II
Published by Dark Terror Publications on 26th October 2018
501 pages
This book consisted of 31 short stories, perfect for when you need a short burst of horror. Every story was different, with various lengths and subject matter.
Starting off my review is Lisa Vasquez’s story is Mazie Shade of Winter. George was a successful author, happy with his life, then tragedy strikes making him a widower. 2 years later, we join him whilst he is trying to finish his latest work. Battling a storm, there is something more sinister than forked lightning. Reading this story you can feel George’s sense of loss and the guilt he had for not being there. However, the further you go into the story, you soon realise that George has something to hide. As the storm intensifies so does the story. With the basement having history and the constant clicking noise, you could understand George’s fear. However, when the lightning lit up the basement, not only was George’s secret revealed but there were a few unexpected surprises waiting. A creepy story.
Other stories I enjoyed were:
Man of Renown by Terry Grimwood: Set in 1888, Emily was always in fear, whether it was from violent clients or the Rips, a sadistic group of men. On one hectic night, a quiet unassuming gentleman came to her rescue and started a very unusual friendship. As you read this story, you are transported to the Victorian streets, the descriptive writing has you imagine the sights and sounds and Emily works her trade. The ending was unexpected and could this be another explanation of the deaths at the time.
Christmas with the Dead by Joe R Lansdale: Christmas time and Calvin wanted to decorate his house. What was different this year was the town was populated by Zombies. One thing I enjoyed when I was reading this story was the unusual way the people were turned. This was a story of survival and remembering the dead. A new friendship is formed and a festive ending.
Red Shoes by Andrew Lennon: Following Kurt and his vicious fixation with red shoes. This story is told over one night as we follow Kurt following his next victim. Whilst on his journey, he reminisces about his victims. The tension builds right up to the end as you are waiting for him to strike.
An Acquired Taste by Pippa Bailey: Detective Pascal is in charge of an unusual case. Men are found in their beds naked and in a coma. Their only mistake was to be in bed by themselves, asleep and having a window open. Whilst we knew who was behind the attacks, it is only when a specialist joins the team do the details come out and you can see the struggle that the Detective has in believing the facts. Fast paced fantasy.
Daddy’s Little Girl by Dale Robertson: Hayley’s parents were separated, all she wanted to do was stay with her dad. After finding an unusual box at a car boot, events start to unfold. The story draws you in with how sweet and innocent Hayley is. As you are reading the story, the true horror of the box is revealed and whilst the ending was to be expected the build-up wasn’t.
As well as the short stories there are two touching tributes. Lisa Vasquez writes a moving tribute to Draven Ames and Wrath James White writes a tribute to Jack Ketchum and after both tributes, there is a chance to read a short story by Draven Ames and Jack Ketchum.
As mentioned this book is for charity and with its bumper pages you will sure find a short story to please you.
Published by Dark Terror Publications on 26th October 2018
501 pages
This book consisted of 31 short stories, perfect for when you need a short burst of horror. Every story was different, with various lengths and subject matter.
Starting off my review is Lisa Vasquez’s story is Mazie Shade of Winter. George was a successful author, happy with his life, then tragedy strikes making him a widower. 2 years later, we join him whilst he is trying to finish his latest work. Battling a storm, there is something more sinister than forked lightning. Reading this story you can feel George’s sense of loss and the guilt he had for not being there. However, the further you go into the story, you soon realise that George has something to hide. As the storm intensifies so does the story. With the basement having history and the constant clicking noise, you could understand George’s fear. However, when the lightning lit up the basement, not only was George’s secret revealed but there were a few unexpected surprises waiting. A creepy story.
Other stories I enjoyed were:
Man of Renown by Terry Grimwood: Set in 1888, Emily was always in fear, whether it was from violent clients or the Rips, a sadistic group of men. On one hectic night, a quiet unassuming gentleman came to her rescue and started a very unusual friendship. As you read this story, you are transported to the Victorian streets, the descriptive writing has you imagine the sights and sounds and Emily works her trade. The ending was unexpected and could this be another explanation of the deaths at the time.
Christmas with the Dead by Joe R Lansdale: Christmas time and Calvin wanted to decorate his house. What was different this year was the town was populated by Zombies. One thing I enjoyed when I was reading this story was the unusual way the people were turned. This was a story of survival and remembering the dead. A new friendship is formed and a festive ending.
Red Shoes by Andrew Lennon: Following Kurt and his vicious fixation with red shoes. This story is told over one night as we follow Kurt following his next victim. Whilst on his journey, he reminisces about his victims. The tension builds right up to the end as you are waiting for him to strike.
An Acquired Taste by Pippa Bailey: Detective Pascal is in charge of an unusual case. Men are found in their beds naked and in a coma. Their only mistake was to be in bed by themselves, asleep and having a window open. Whilst we knew who was behind the attacks, it is only when a specialist joins the team do the details come out and you can see the struggle that the Detective has in believing the facts. Fast paced fantasy.
Daddy’s Little Girl by Dale Robertson: Hayley’s parents were separated, all she wanted to do was stay with her dad. After finding an unusual box at a car boot, events start to unfold. The story draws you in with how sweet and innocent Hayley is. As you are reading the story, the true horror of the box is revealed and whilst the ending was to be expected the build-up wasn’t.
As well as the short stories there are two touching tributes. Lisa Vasquez writes a moving tribute to Draven Ames and Wrath James White writes a tribute to Jack Ketchum and after both tributes, there is a chance to read a short story by Draven Ames and Jack Ketchum.
As mentioned this book is for charity and with its bumper pages you will sure find a short story to please you.
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