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A review by ljwrites85
Close to Midnight by Mark Morris
5.0
So the spooky season is upon us, so that means it's time for a new collection of short stories from Flame Tree Press. This is their third year so far, and I've devoured them all.
Like the previous collections, close to midnight has a great range of stories from dystopian realities, demonic entities to the downright creepy.
There are twenty stories in the collection, some from familiar names to authors that I don't know, but I will be keeping an eye out for future work from.
My standout stories were:
Remains by Charlie Hughes. This one is my absolute favourite of the collection. A woman is stuck in a sort of purgatory-like state watching the commuters at a train station, her body undiscovered just beyond the platform.
The nine of diamonds by Carole Johnstone. This gripping story came in a close second. A woman's life is falling down around her when she lands a job interview at a mysterious agency that specialises in 'cursing' people.
Best Safe Life For You by Muriel Gray. A brilliantly creepy story about a couple whose neighbourhood is being terrorised by a gang of youths, so they contact a mysterious company to provide them with security.
The Forbidden Sandwich by Carl Tait. A unique tale about a care assistant is told about a sandwich by one of his patients that will induce brilliance for a short time. He tries it out regardless of the consequences.
Going Home by Evelyn Teng. An almost fairytale-like story about a young boy returns home, but his parents are not acting the way they used to.
Rise Up Together by Adam LG Nevill. A mind bending story about a man who goes to visit his friend in a weird town with some very unnerving residents.
Honestly, if you love short and sometimes shocking horror stories, you can't go wrong with this collection! I will be looking forward to next year's collection.
Like the previous collections, close to midnight has a great range of stories from dystopian realities, demonic entities to the downright creepy.
There are twenty stories in the collection, some from familiar names to authors that I don't know, but I will be keeping an eye out for future work from.
My standout stories were:
Remains by Charlie Hughes. This one is my absolute favourite of the collection. A woman is stuck in a sort of purgatory-like state watching the commuters at a train station, her body undiscovered just beyond the platform.
The nine of diamonds by Carole Johnstone. This gripping story came in a close second. A woman's life is falling down around her when she lands a job interview at a mysterious agency that specialises in 'cursing' people.
Best Safe Life For You by Muriel Gray. A brilliantly creepy story about a couple whose neighbourhood is being terrorised by a gang of youths, so they contact a mysterious company to provide them with security.
The Forbidden Sandwich by Carl Tait. A unique tale about a care assistant is told about a sandwich by one of his patients that will induce brilliance for a short time. He tries it out regardless of the consequences.
Going Home by Evelyn Teng. An almost fairytale-like story about a young boy returns home, but his parents are not acting the way they used to.
Rise Up Together by Adam LG Nevill. A mind bending story about a man who goes to visit his friend in a weird town with some very unnerving residents.
Honestly, if you love short and sometimes shocking horror stories, you can't go wrong with this collection! I will be looking forward to next year's collection.