Lee Allen's Blog - Posts Tagged "halloween"
The Jack O'Lantern Men - Preview
Read on for a preview of my new novella, The Jack O'Lantern Men, publishing Hallowe'en 2015:
The Jack O'Lantern Men
---
Life is but a whisper on a long forgotten wind.
They were the final words my wife spoke to me, as she lay on her death bed and limply held my hand, as mine grew tighter on hers. It is true, is it not? In that moment I forgave her all; her heresy, her infidelity, all the wounds she’d opened up in me over those long years. I stayed because I believed in my vows, and I cherished my daughter. Thus, I buried my hatred for this woman I had loved with all of my heart. Yet they were not the only reasons. I still loved her so, and though I never spoke of it again, my love sat with my hatred, and they shared the heart that belonged to that woman.
Oh Year, one which was so full of pain to enter, and shall be evermore agonising still to feel die. What secrets have you left to share with us in your final days? As the winter creeps upon us now that autumn has done its worst.
The fate of men resides in my hands once again. My keys grow heavier at my side, as I stalk the dark and dingy corridors, checking each cell to see if men still breathe so that we can take their last breaths from them. They are all sentenced to hang, all the men under my care.
Today, I was delivered the latest of these damned souls. Frank was his name. He said hardly a word as he was brought down to his cell and I unlocked the one farthest down the corridor. He turned and looked at me as I locked it behind him, looked me right in the eye and spoke to me without a word.
My day of reckoning had come.
Before leaving for home, I returned to his cell and looked through the bars. He sat motionless in the corner, and only stirred when I had stood at the bars for an endless five minutes.
“You know, don’t you?” His voice sounded as if it clawed over a thousand needles to escape his throat. For the first time, I noticed his nose and mouth were bloody; one blackened eye could only manage a squint to share vision with the other.
“I do,” I replied to him.
For I knew they haunted him too. I could feel them just out of sight at the end of the corridor. I ignored them, fixing my eyes on Frank.
“Find my daughter,” he implored me, finally moving from his corner toward me. “Find that she understands it was not of my doing.”
I nodded and said nothing further, moving from the cell into the darkness of the corridor.
The Jack O’Lantern Men followed me, their mouths grinning wickedly at my back. Long, tapered, fingers brushed my neck as I hurried from the prison.
“Leave me!” I cried into the dark, as I had done every night since she had gone.
They were not words that met my ears, more drifting thoughts that met my mind.
---
The Jack O'Lantern Men, available October 31st.
Hear our words. Say your prayers.
Late on Hallowe’en night, Frank is delivered to the Jailer, standing accused of a crime for which he will hang. He has a tale to tell, and begs the Jailer to speak to his daughter.
His daughter, Laura, has her own tale to tell. Through their words, the Jailer hears of the events that will lead him to his last execution.
All the while, the Jack O’Lantern Men wait in the wings for the last act to play out and the curtain to fall.
The Jack O'Lantern Men
---
Life is but a whisper on a long forgotten wind.
They were the final words my wife spoke to me, as she lay on her death bed and limply held my hand, as mine grew tighter on hers. It is true, is it not? In that moment I forgave her all; her heresy, her infidelity, all the wounds she’d opened up in me over those long years. I stayed because I believed in my vows, and I cherished my daughter. Thus, I buried my hatred for this woman I had loved with all of my heart. Yet they were not the only reasons. I still loved her so, and though I never spoke of it again, my love sat with my hatred, and they shared the heart that belonged to that woman.
Oh Year, one which was so full of pain to enter, and shall be evermore agonising still to feel die. What secrets have you left to share with us in your final days? As the winter creeps upon us now that autumn has done its worst.
The fate of men resides in my hands once again. My keys grow heavier at my side, as I stalk the dark and dingy corridors, checking each cell to see if men still breathe so that we can take their last breaths from them. They are all sentenced to hang, all the men under my care.
Today, I was delivered the latest of these damned souls. Frank was his name. He said hardly a word as he was brought down to his cell and I unlocked the one farthest down the corridor. He turned and looked at me as I locked it behind him, looked me right in the eye and spoke to me without a word.
My day of reckoning had come.
Before leaving for home, I returned to his cell and looked through the bars. He sat motionless in the corner, and only stirred when I had stood at the bars for an endless five minutes.
“You know, don’t you?” His voice sounded as if it clawed over a thousand needles to escape his throat. For the first time, I noticed his nose and mouth were bloody; one blackened eye could only manage a squint to share vision with the other.
“I do,” I replied to him.
For I knew they haunted him too. I could feel them just out of sight at the end of the corridor. I ignored them, fixing my eyes on Frank.
“Find my daughter,” he implored me, finally moving from his corner toward me. “Find that she understands it was not of my doing.”
I nodded and said nothing further, moving from the cell into the darkness of the corridor.
The Jack O’Lantern Men followed me, their mouths grinning wickedly at my back. Long, tapered, fingers brushed my neck as I hurried from the prison.
“Leave me!” I cried into the dark, as I had done every night since she had gone.
They were not words that met my ears, more drifting thoughts that met my mind.
---
The Jack O'Lantern Men, available October 31st.
Hear our words. Say your prayers.
Late on Hallowe’en night, Frank is delivered to the Jailer, standing accused of a crime for which he will hang. He has a tale to tell, and begs the Jailer to speak to his daughter.
His daughter, Laura, has her own tale to tell. Through their words, the Jailer hears of the events that will lead him to his last execution.
All the while, the Jack O’Lantern Men wait in the wings for the last act to play out and the curtain to fall.
John Passarella's Halloween - Review
Halloween: The Official Movie Novelization by John PassarellaMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The gripping novelisation of the 2018 film sequel to the 1978 slasher classic.
Michael Myers is back to terrorise the sleepy town of Haddonfield. For forty years, he has remained incarcerated, having been apprehended shortly after the conclusion to his killing spree in the original film, when he apparently escaped after being shot six times by Dr Loomis during his attack on Laurie Strode. Two journalists are determined to get an interview with Myers, to see behind the mask before he is transferred back to Smith’s Grove Sanitorium and they lose the opportunity. But he remains silent and impassive.
The journalists turn their attention to Laurie Strode, the lone survivor. She is practically a recluse, semi-estranged from her daughter, Karen, and granddaughter, Allyson. Haunted by the events of that night forty years before, she has fortified her property, awaiting the day that Michael will return to finish what he started.
During his transfer, Michael escapes. Laurie knew the day would come and she is prepared. But she is the only one that is. Leaving a trail of bloodshed and carnage in his wake, Michael returns to Haddonfield on Hallowe’en night. After waiting forty years, Laurie soon comes face to face with the Shape, in what may be their final confrontation.
Passarella’s novelisation, based on the screenplay by Danny McBride, Jeff Fradley and David Gordon Green, deepens and enriches the plot and characters of the film. I absolutely loved every second, flying through the pages, becoming once again enthralled by Michael and Laurie’s cat-and-mouse game. I waited an entire year to read it on Hallowe’en (as I wanted to watch the film first when it was released the previous year) – it was certainly worth the wait and did not suffer from me already being familiar with the plot. This is the perfect companion to the film.
It’s worth noting that “Halloween” (2018) is a direct sequel to “Halloween” (1978) only, ignoring the events of “Halloween II” (1981), which took place on the same night as the original, and every sequel since. However, we’ve experienced abandonment of sequels and changes to the timeline before – “Halloween H20”; as well as an anthology film – “Halloween III: Season of the Witch” - and a remake series – “Halloween” (2007) and “Halloween II” (2009). There are subtle nods to these forgotten sequels – Laurie being Michael’s sister is somewhat of an urban legend, made up so people can make themselves feel like it wouldn’t happen to them, so Allyson suggests; while those deadly Silver Shamrock masks may be for sale once again to the world's children.
Of course, you can’t kill the Boogeyman. Michael will return next year in “Halloween Kills”, and once more in 2021 in “Halloween Ends”. I hope John Passarella will get to tackle both those films and write a further two novels as sequels to this one.
Perfect to read on autumnal nights, “Halloween” is a sublime horror novel, that will grip you in its clutches and drag you relentlessly through Michael’s night of terror. You can only pray you will survive ‘til morning.
View all my reviews
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Happy Hallowe'en!
In the depths of autumn, dark and cold sweeping in, winter is almost upon us as we arrive in the final weeks of the year, while the dead no longer rest.
The perfect home for my collection, Whispers from the Dead of Night, featuring stories of horror blended with multiple sub-genres and layers of myth, history and mystery.
I wish to thank all my readers, reviewers, followers and supporters for all their encouragement and feedback. I am overjoyed whenever I hear that someone has enjoyed reading my stories.
I hope you all have a fantastic day and night, whatever your plans may be in this bizarre year that we are living. Whether you embrace the spirit of the season for its roots in Gaelic Samhain, Catholicism's All Hallows' Eve or popular culture's modern Halloween of horror entertainment - or a mix of all three and much more besides, like myself - grab yourself a treat and enjoy!
The dark hours will be lit by the blue moon (experiencing two full moons within the same month), piercing the mist. Light yourself a candle and brew a hot drink. If you listen closely, you may hear something beneath the wind rattling the windows and howling down the chimney. Perhaps a storm is coming. Spirits are restless. You may just hear their whispers from the dead of night. Come and read with me...if you dare!
Are you sitting comfortably, the fire crackling, a mug of cocoa in hand? Then let us begin…
A journey through fog and darkness, destination unknown…
A sexual obsession spiralling out of control…
A forbidden love…
A killer who preys on the lonely…
An investigation into a haunted monastery…
A visitation on Christmas Eve with diabolical intentions…
A night-time escape through the forest…
Seven tales of mystery and the supernatural for a winter's evening.
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
The perfect home for my collection, Whispers from the Dead of Night, featuring stories of horror blended with multiple sub-genres and layers of myth, history and mystery.
I wish to thank all my readers, reviewers, followers and supporters for all their encouragement and feedback. I am overjoyed whenever I hear that someone has enjoyed reading my stories.
I hope you all have a fantastic day and night, whatever your plans may be in this bizarre year that we are living. Whether you embrace the spirit of the season for its roots in Gaelic Samhain, Catholicism's All Hallows' Eve or popular culture's modern Halloween of horror entertainment - or a mix of all three and much more besides, like myself - grab yourself a treat and enjoy!
The dark hours will be lit by the blue moon (experiencing two full moons within the same month), piercing the mist. Light yourself a candle and brew a hot drink. If you listen closely, you may hear something beneath the wind rattling the windows and howling down the chimney. Perhaps a storm is coming. Spirits are restless. You may just hear their whispers from the dead of night. Come and read with me...if you dare!
Are you sitting comfortably, the fire crackling, a mug of cocoa in hand? Then let us begin…
A journey through fog and darkness, destination unknown…
A sexual obsession spiralling out of control…
A forbidden love…
A killer who preys on the lonely…
An investigation into a haunted monastery…
A visitation on Christmas Eve with diabolical intentions…
A night-time escape through the forest…
Seven tales of mystery and the supernatural for a winter's evening.
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Writing News!
I am very excited to announce that I will soon be delivering a brand new short story to my readers!
While researching and plotting Book 6, this tale kept pushing its way into my head and clamouring for attention, insisting it get written first. I'm never one to resist a mystery on a dark autumn night, so took little persuading. I finished the first draft several weeks ago and this week turned to redrafting it in earnest, which I hope to complete by the end of next week.
It will be released this Hallowe'en, and I hope you will find it a gothic treat for the spookiest night of the year.
I will be revealing more details, including the title, synopsis and cover, very soon! Keep an eye out on Facebook and Instagram.
🎃 TRICK OR TREAT?! 😉
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
While researching and plotting Book 6, this tale kept pushing its way into my head and clamouring for attention, insisting it get written first. I'm never one to resist a mystery on a dark autumn night, so took little persuading. I finished the first draft several weeks ago and this week turned to redrafting it in earnest, which I hope to complete by the end of next week.
It will be released this Hallowe'en, and I hope you will find it a gothic treat for the spookiest night of the year.
I will be revealing more details, including the title, synopsis and cover, very soon! Keep an eye out on Facebook and Instagram.
🎃 TRICK OR TREAT?! 😉
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Will o' the Wisp - A Jack O'Lantern Tale
I'm delighted to present the synopsis for my brand new short story, creeping out of the dark this Hallowe'en:
___
It may be safer for some questions to remain unanswered...
Whilst running an errand late one Hallowe'en night, a young gentleman comes across a young lady in need of assistance. From whom or what she flees is unclear, but nevertheless he desires to help.
When she vanishes without trace, he determines to find the reason for her disappearance, a quest which may lead him into unknown peril.
For, amongst the shadows, there lurks something sinister...
___
A gothic horror short story from the author of "The Jack O'Lantern Men" and "Whispers from the Dead of Night".
Available to download 31/10/2021.
Just six weeks 'til Hallowe'en!
🎃 TRICK OR TREAT?! 😉
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
___
It may be safer for some questions to remain unanswered...
Whilst running an errand late one Hallowe'en night, a young gentleman comes across a young lady in need of assistance. From whom or what she flees is unclear, but nevertheless he desires to help.
When she vanishes without trace, he determines to find the reason for her disappearance, a quest which may lead him into unknown peril.
For, amongst the shadows, there lurks something sinister...
___
A gothic horror short story from the author of "The Jack O'Lantern Men" and "Whispers from the Dead of Night".
Available to download 31/10/2021.
Just six weeks 'til Hallowe'en!
🎃 TRICK OR TREAT?! 😉
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Will o' the Wisp - Preview, Part I
Preview the opening scene from my brand new short story, Will o' the Wisp, creeping out of the shadows this Hallowe'en:
___
Never have I stopped searching, and never shall I give up the quest for as long as I breathe.
I have tried all manner of methods to reacquaint myself with my lost and distant love, searching amongst both the living and the dead. Yet always have I been too far behind. Perhaps tonight, as I sat beside a stuttering jack o’lantern and gazed out upon the blackest of nights, I would finally lay eyes upon her face again and find the answers which I sought.
Oh, but what a thing of beauty was her face. Her smooth, white skin and her rosebud mouth. Those bright, green eyes that sang in the sunshine. Her raven black hair, that descended down to her waist. The elegance of her form. I fell madly, deeply, as soon as I laid eyes upon her, of that I am sure, for she claimed my thoughts in every waking moment. Who could this maiden be, if not my intended bride? I shall admit that a kind of insanity may have befallen me, for so quickly was I overcome, my one desire to claim this beauty as my own.
When I sought the services of Madame Marsden, I had no reason to believe this encounter would prove more fruitful than the last, or the countless others before them. I had fallen into a melancholy, believing I would never find the answers I sought, but nonetheless could not give up my search. In my depressed and desperate state, I clung to the false hope that just one more time, one final attempt, would be the moment of revelation.
So it went on. I’d enlisted mediums, clairvoyants, fortunetellers, as well as the more conventional private detectives and the constabularies of the various locales which I explored in vain. No one, by either investigative or preternatural means, had uncovered one clue as to the whereabouts of she who possessed my soul.
But tonight would prove different; I could feel it deep in my bones. The flame flickered again, waxing and waning in the draft from the cracks in the windowpane, causing the jack o’lantern to wink at me, his wicked grin stretching with menace.
I have digressed, my tale already resembling the knotted tangents of my mind. I hoped simply to get the facts down on paper whilst awaiting her arrival. Thus, it would be prudent to commence at the beginning.
___
It may be safer for some questions to remain unanswered...
Whilst running an errand late one Hallowe'en night, a young gentleman comes across a young lady in need of assistance. From whom or what she flees is unclear, but nevertheless he desires to help.
When she vanishes without trace, he determines to find the reason for her disappearance, a quest which may lead him into unknown peril.
For, amongst the shadows, there lurks something sinister...
___
A gothic horror short story from the author of "The Jack O'Lantern Men" and "Whispers from the Dead of Night". Look out for part II of the preview next weekend.
Available to download 31/10/2021. Pre-order on Amazon now!
Just two weeks 'til Hallowe'en!
🎃 TRICK OR TREAT?! 😉
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
___
Never have I stopped searching, and never shall I give up the quest for as long as I breathe.
I have tried all manner of methods to reacquaint myself with my lost and distant love, searching amongst both the living and the dead. Yet always have I been too far behind. Perhaps tonight, as I sat beside a stuttering jack o’lantern and gazed out upon the blackest of nights, I would finally lay eyes upon her face again and find the answers which I sought.
Oh, but what a thing of beauty was her face. Her smooth, white skin and her rosebud mouth. Those bright, green eyes that sang in the sunshine. Her raven black hair, that descended down to her waist. The elegance of her form. I fell madly, deeply, as soon as I laid eyes upon her, of that I am sure, for she claimed my thoughts in every waking moment. Who could this maiden be, if not my intended bride? I shall admit that a kind of insanity may have befallen me, for so quickly was I overcome, my one desire to claim this beauty as my own.
When I sought the services of Madame Marsden, I had no reason to believe this encounter would prove more fruitful than the last, or the countless others before them. I had fallen into a melancholy, believing I would never find the answers I sought, but nonetheless could not give up my search. In my depressed and desperate state, I clung to the false hope that just one more time, one final attempt, would be the moment of revelation.
So it went on. I’d enlisted mediums, clairvoyants, fortunetellers, as well as the more conventional private detectives and the constabularies of the various locales which I explored in vain. No one, by either investigative or preternatural means, had uncovered one clue as to the whereabouts of she who possessed my soul.
But tonight would prove different; I could feel it deep in my bones. The flame flickered again, waxing and waning in the draft from the cracks in the windowpane, causing the jack o’lantern to wink at me, his wicked grin stretching with menace.
I have digressed, my tale already resembling the knotted tangents of my mind. I hoped simply to get the facts down on paper whilst awaiting her arrival. Thus, it would be prudent to commence at the beginning.
___
It may be safer for some questions to remain unanswered...
Whilst running an errand late one Hallowe'en night, a young gentleman comes across a young lady in need of assistance. From whom or what she flees is unclear, but nevertheless he desires to help.
When she vanishes without trace, he determines to find the reason for her disappearance, a quest which may lead him into unknown peril.
For, amongst the shadows, there lurks something sinister...
___
A gothic horror short story from the author of "The Jack O'Lantern Men" and "Whispers from the Dead of Night". Look out for part II of the preview next weekend.
Available to download 31/10/2021. Pre-order on Amazon now!
Just two weeks 'til Hallowe'en!
🎃 TRICK OR TREAT?! 😉
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Will o' the Wisp - Preview, Part II
Read on for the next scene from my brand new short story, Will o' the Wisp, creeping out of the shadows this Hallowe'en!
Missed Part I? Read it on last weekend's blog post.
___
The telling of this tale began some years past. I was a young bachelor immersed in my study of the law; betrothal and marriage could not be further from my mind. I had taken up an opportunity as a clerk’s assistant at the chambers of a prestigious law firm. I was told I had great promise, having already found myself providing assistance on several briefs. What little I earned was enough to grant me take up rooms only a short walk from both chambers and the university. When I was not working, I took to my studies in my rooms, often staying up late into the night. When the oil lamp burned low, I read my papers by candlelight.
One late autumn evening, one that felt much like any other, I was charged with caretaking a delivery of documents on behalf of Mr Justice Bernstein. I felt honoured to be entrusted with such a task, trifling as it may seem. I set off on my journey via carriage, wrapped against the wind on which one could already feel the chill of winter. The candle that lit the lantern inside of the carriage cast only a dim light, which I was unable to read by. Instead, I extinguished it and took to watching the night go by.
We had left the city behind, its grey and dusty streets lit by street lamps. No lights lit the road along which we trundled and clouds hid the stars high above from view. Beyond the window, I could see only a tapestry of blackness. But over the rapid clopping of hooves and the incessant rattling of the wheels, I heard something in the wind. It sounded like voices, the words indistinct.
A whisper reached my ears, as clear as if it had been conjured in my own mind.
Beware the secrets in a woman’s keep;
For in her bosom is where proud men weep.
___
It may be safer for some questions to remain unanswered...
Whilst running an errand late one Hallowe'en night, a young gentleman comes across a young lady in need of assistance. From whom or what she flees is unclear, but nevertheless he desires to help.
When she vanishes without trace, he determines to find the reason for her disappearance, a quest which may lead him into unknown peril.
For, amongst the shadows, there lurks something sinister...
___
A gothic horror short story from the author of "The Jack O'Lantern Men" and "Whispers from the Dead of Night".
Want to read more? Perhaps I'll share a Part III during the week.
Available to download 31/10/2021. Pre-order on Amazon now!
Just seven days 'til Hallowe'en!
🎃 TRICK OR TREAT?! 😉
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Missed Part I? Read it on last weekend's blog post.
___
The telling of this tale began some years past. I was a young bachelor immersed in my study of the law; betrothal and marriage could not be further from my mind. I had taken up an opportunity as a clerk’s assistant at the chambers of a prestigious law firm. I was told I had great promise, having already found myself providing assistance on several briefs. What little I earned was enough to grant me take up rooms only a short walk from both chambers and the university. When I was not working, I took to my studies in my rooms, often staying up late into the night. When the oil lamp burned low, I read my papers by candlelight.
One late autumn evening, one that felt much like any other, I was charged with caretaking a delivery of documents on behalf of Mr Justice Bernstein. I felt honoured to be entrusted with such a task, trifling as it may seem. I set off on my journey via carriage, wrapped against the wind on which one could already feel the chill of winter. The candle that lit the lantern inside of the carriage cast only a dim light, which I was unable to read by. Instead, I extinguished it and took to watching the night go by.
We had left the city behind, its grey and dusty streets lit by street lamps. No lights lit the road along which we trundled and clouds hid the stars high above from view. Beyond the window, I could see only a tapestry of blackness. But over the rapid clopping of hooves and the incessant rattling of the wheels, I heard something in the wind. It sounded like voices, the words indistinct.
A whisper reached my ears, as clear as if it had been conjured in my own mind.
Beware the secrets in a woman’s keep;
For in her bosom is where proud men weep.
___
It may be safer for some questions to remain unanswered...
Whilst running an errand late one Hallowe'en night, a young gentleman comes across a young lady in need of assistance. From whom or what she flees is unclear, but nevertheless he desires to help.
When she vanishes without trace, he determines to find the reason for her disappearance, a quest which may lead him into unknown peril.
For, amongst the shadows, there lurks something sinister...
___
A gothic horror short story from the author of "The Jack O'Lantern Men" and "Whispers from the Dead of Night".
Want to read more? Perhaps I'll share a Part III during the week.
Available to download 31/10/2021. Pre-order on Amazon now!
Just seven days 'til Hallowe'en!
🎃 TRICK OR TREAT?! 😉
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Halloween Pieces - Review
Halloween Pieces: A Mobile Writers Guild Anthology by Joyce ScarbroughMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Treats and tricks galore in this anthology from the Mobile Writers' Guild in celebration of the spookiest season of the year.
‘Halloween Pieces’ is a collection of eighteen pieces of writing from writers from Mobile, Alabama; the fourth of (currently) five collections. Including twelve short stories, five poems and a play, there is something to suit all tastes, with gothic fiction, mystery, folklore, hauntings, horror and comedy all finding their way within the pages.
My personal highlights were:
‘The Tree Remembers’ by Joyce Scarbrough – Invited to a school reunion, Janelle is at first reluctant to accompany her husband, as she hasn't fond memories of her time at school. But when the opportunity arises to teach the school bullies a lesson, Janelle decides it’s one she cannot miss.
‘Once in a Blue Moon’ by CJ Petterson – When her car breaks down in a secluded area, Katherine is relieved when a stranger comes upon her and offers to assist. Agreeing to accompany him back to his village and join their Samhain celebration, she soons discovers that something sinister is afoot and the villagers may not be as they seem.
‘The Portrait of Eliza Melling’ by Carrie Dalby – Five years after the death of his beloved Eliza, Sean remains heartbroken, attending a Halloween dance in an effort to keep her memory alive. But his devotion to clinging to the past proves dangerous as he returns home to a visitation from the spirit world. (Working well as a standalone story, this is also connected to Dalby’s ongoing gothic family saga ‘The Possession Chronicles’.)
‘A Time to Believe’ by Theola Bright – Accosted by an old lady in the street, Edwina’s day takes a bizarre and terrifying turn, one that threatens her life and that of everyone she cares for. Just what witchcraft has befallen her, she does not know, and tries desperately to escape the clutches of this malign scheme.
Overall this is an enjoyable selection of fiction and poetry for Hallowe’en, including some that can be read aloud and even shared with the whole family (parental discretion advised, of course). So grab your cocoa, your apple cider, or pumpkin spice beverage of choice, and sit back ready to embrace the season with thrills, terrors and supernatural delights.
View all my reviews
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Will o' the Wisp - Preview, Part III
Here's the final part of the preview of my brand new short story, Will o' the Wisp, creeping out of the shadows this Hallowe'en!
Missed Parts I and II? Check out my earlier blog posts.
___
I leaned forward, squinting more keenly out into the passing dark. I could see the glimmer of a distant light, floating and darting between what must be trees, as if someone was struggling to gather their bearings.
“Stop!” I called up to the driver. “There is someone out there, lost.”
“There is no one,” came the abrupt, gruff reply. I heard the crack of the whip, urging the horses on. “There is only marshland; no one can survive out there.”
Still, the wind formed into strangled, indistinct whispers, the distant light hovering, glimmering in the night.
“But I can see their light,” I protested, fearful for the poor soul trapped out on the marshes.
“What you see is the Friar’s Lantern. Only a fool pays it any heed, and no sooner does he than he is a doomed fool. On this night, more than any other.”
I had paid little heed to the date of note prior to this moment, considering myself neither religious nor superstitious.
“The Friar’s Lantern?” I queried.
“Friar w’ the Rush, will entice you out on yonder marshes and to your death. Pay it no heed, sir, I implore you. It is the Devil’s work. I have no wish for us to die tonight.”
I squinted into the night again, trying to identify the source of light. I had no doubt it was not the superstitious nonsense the driver claimed. Knowing nothing would impel him to stop, I dug the matches from my pockets and relit the lantern, in the dim hope that the lost soul may see the source of light and discern the direction of the road.
___
It may be safer for some questions to remain unanswered...
Whilst running an errand late one Hallowe'en night, a young gentleman comes across a young lady in need of assistance. From whom or what she flees is unclear, but nevertheless he desires to help.
When she vanishes without trace, he determines to find the reason for her disappearance, a quest which may lead him into unknown peril.
For, amongst the shadows, there lurks something sinister...
___
A gothic horror short story from the author of "The Jack O'Lantern Men" and "Whispers from the Dead of Night".
Continue reading this Sunday.
Available to download 31/10/2021. Pre-order on Amazon now!
Just four more days 'til Hallowe'en!
🎃 TRICK OR TREAT?! 😉
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Missed Parts I and II? Check out my earlier blog posts.
___
I leaned forward, squinting more keenly out into the passing dark. I could see the glimmer of a distant light, floating and darting between what must be trees, as if someone was struggling to gather their bearings.
“Stop!” I called up to the driver. “There is someone out there, lost.”
“There is no one,” came the abrupt, gruff reply. I heard the crack of the whip, urging the horses on. “There is only marshland; no one can survive out there.”
Still, the wind formed into strangled, indistinct whispers, the distant light hovering, glimmering in the night.
“But I can see their light,” I protested, fearful for the poor soul trapped out on the marshes.
“What you see is the Friar’s Lantern. Only a fool pays it any heed, and no sooner does he than he is a doomed fool. On this night, more than any other.”
I had paid little heed to the date of note prior to this moment, considering myself neither religious nor superstitious.
“The Friar’s Lantern?” I queried.
“Friar w’ the Rush, will entice you out on yonder marshes and to your death. Pay it no heed, sir, I implore you. It is the Devil’s work. I have no wish for us to die tonight.”
I squinted into the night again, trying to identify the source of light. I had no doubt it was not the superstitious nonsense the driver claimed. Knowing nothing would impel him to stop, I dug the matches from my pockets and relit the lantern, in the dim hope that the lost soul may see the source of light and discern the direction of the road.
___
It may be safer for some questions to remain unanswered...
Whilst running an errand late one Hallowe'en night, a young gentleman comes across a young lady in need of assistance. From whom or what she flees is unclear, but nevertheless he desires to help.
When she vanishes without trace, he determines to find the reason for her disappearance, a quest which may lead him into unknown peril.
For, amongst the shadows, there lurks something sinister...
___
A gothic horror short story from the author of "The Jack O'Lantern Men" and "Whispers from the Dead of Night".
Continue reading this Sunday.
Available to download 31/10/2021. Pre-order on Amazon now!
Just four more days 'til Hallowe'en!
🎃 TRICK OR TREAT?! 😉
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
September Story Spotlight - Will o' the Wisp
"Tendrils of mist rose from the ebony blackness of the marshes, draping over the cloaked figure on the ground."
As Autumn prepares to wrap us in her arms, the spotlight turns to "Will o' the Wisp", a short story of gothic horror, tragic romance and demonic haunting.
Behind the Story
The origins of "Will o' the Wisp" came from two separate directions. The first was a gothic horror mystery, exploring the concept of unanswered questions in the aftermath of someone vanishing, leaving you to wonder if you ever knew them at all and what has become of them. I set this story in the late Victorian era, always a favourite period of mine in fiction, looking and feeling so different to our modern world. At the story's core is the main character's obsession with this disappearance, which has taken over his life.
The second approach was the return of the Jack O'Lantern Men. I always knew they would be back. While I was writing their eponymous novella, I was already thinking about where future stories may lead. When I decided to release my omnibus, I liked the idea of including a bonus short story, something new, and it seemed fitting the demons would make their return. As they pushed their way into my gothic horror tale, I found myself exploring a part of their mythology I'd never intended to. Thus, "Will o' the Wisp - A Jack O'Lantern Tale" was conceived.
As well as an additional story including themes explored throughout the overall collection and a prequel to "The Jack O'Lantern Men", "Will o' the Wisp" can be read as a standalone Hallowe'en chiller, a one-sitting read for a dark autumn evening.
As the night draws in, light your candle and wrap up against the cold, and turn the page to uncover if it may be safer for some questions to remain unanswered...
___
"You will come face to face with one who stole from you your love. But, beware. It will not be the face you expect."
It may be safer for some questions to remain unanswered...
Whilst running an errand late one Hallowe'en night, a young gentleman comes across a young lady in need of assistance. From whom or what she flees is unclear, but nevertheless he desires to help.
When she vanishes without trace, he determines to find the reason for her disappearance, a quest which may lead him into unknown peril.
For, amongst the shadows, there lurks something sinister...
Read the opening scene in three parts:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Want to continue reading? "Will o' the Wisp" is available as a standalone ebook or as part of "Whispers from the Dead of Night - The Deluxe Collection" in ebook, paperback and hardcover.
Order "Will o' the Wisp"
Order "Whispers from the Dead of Night - The Deluxe Collection"
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
As Autumn prepares to wrap us in her arms, the spotlight turns to "Will o' the Wisp", a short story of gothic horror, tragic romance and demonic haunting.
Behind the Story
The origins of "Will o' the Wisp" came from two separate directions. The first was a gothic horror mystery, exploring the concept of unanswered questions in the aftermath of someone vanishing, leaving you to wonder if you ever knew them at all and what has become of them. I set this story in the late Victorian era, always a favourite period of mine in fiction, looking and feeling so different to our modern world. At the story's core is the main character's obsession with this disappearance, which has taken over his life.
The second approach was the return of the Jack O'Lantern Men. I always knew they would be back. While I was writing their eponymous novella, I was already thinking about where future stories may lead. When I decided to release my omnibus, I liked the idea of including a bonus short story, something new, and it seemed fitting the demons would make their return. As they pushed their way into my gothic horror tale, I found myself exploring a part of their mythology I'd never intended to. Thus, "Will o' the Wisp - A Jack O'Lantern Tale" was conceived.
As well as an additional story including themes explored throughout the overall collection and a prequel to "The Jack O'Lantern Men", "Will o' the Wisp" can be read as a standalone Hallowe'en chiller, a one-sitting read for a dark autumn evening.
As the night draws in, light your candle and wrap up against the cold, and turn the page to uncover if it may be safer for some questions to remain unanswered...
___
"You will come face to face with one who stole from you your love. But, beware. It will not be the face you expect."
It may be safer for some questions to remain unanswered...
Whilst running an errand late one Hallowe'en night, a young gentleman comes across a young lady in need of assistance. From whom or what she flees is unclear, but nevertheless he desires to help.
When she vanishes without trace, he determines to find the reason for her disappearance, a quest which may lead him into unknown peril.
For, amongst the shadows, there lurks something sinister...
Read the opening scene in three parts:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Want to continue reading? "Will o' the Wisp" is available as a standalone ebook or as part of "Whispers from the Dead of Night - The Deluxe Collection" in ebook, paperback and hardcover.
Order "Will o' the Wisp"
Order "Whispers from the Dead of Night - The Deluxe Collection"
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
