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The Toll: A Halloween Short Story
An ageing millionaire wakes on Halloween night to find himself buried in a coffin with only a bell and a lamp for company, a bell meant to alert those above ground that he is alive. But Miles Camden is not quite ready to ring that bell. To him, it's an admission of defeat. No, he has not gotten to his station in life by conceding to the games of others. So he plans to wait and use the time to uncover his tormentor. But no man can hope to win a game without knowing the stakes, and Miles is about to discover that the stakes are very high indeed.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
16 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2012
1 person is currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Kealan Patrick Burke
194 books2,352 followersHailed by Booklist as “one of the most clever and original talents in contemporary horror,” Kealan Patrick Burke was born and raised in Ireland and emigrated to the United States a few weeks before 9/11.
Since then, he has written six novels, among them the popular southern gothic Kin, and over two hundred short stories and novellas, many of which are in various stages of development for film/TV.
In 2005, Burke won the Bram Stoker Award for his coming-of-age novella The Turtle Boy, the first book in the acclaimed Timmy Quinn series.
As editor, he helmed the anthologies Night Visions 12, Taverns of the Dead, and Quietly Now, a tribute anthology to one of Burke’s influences, the late Charles L. Grant.
More recently, he wrote the screenplays for Sour Candy (based on his novella), and the remake of the iconic horror film The Changeling (1980), for the original film's producer, Joel B. Michaels.
He also adapted Sour Candy as a graphic novel for John Carpenter's Night Terrors.
His most recent releases are Cottonmouth, a prequel to Kin and The Widows of Winding Gale, a maritime horror novel set in Ireland.
Kealan is represented by Valarie Phillips at Verve Talent & Literary Agency.
He lives in Ohio with a Scooby Doo lookalike rescue named Red.
Since then, he has written six novels, among them the popular southern gothic Kin, and over two hundred short stories and novellas, many of which are in various stages of development for film/TV.
In 2005, Burke won the Bram Stoker Award for his coming-of-age novella The Turtle Boy, the first book in the acclaimed Timmy Quinn series.
As editor, he helmed the anthologies Night Visions 12, Taverns of the Dead, and Quietly Now, a tribute anthology to one of Burke’s influences, the late Charles L. Grant.
More recently, he wrote the screenplays for Sour Candy (based on his novella), and the remake of the iconic horror film The Changeling (1980), for the original film's producer, Joel B. Michaels.
He also adapted Sour Candy as a graphic novel for John Carpenter's Night Terrors.
His most recent releases are Cottonmouth, a prequel to Kin and The Widows of Winding Gale, a maritime horror novel set in Ireland.
Kealan is represented by Valarie Phillips at Verve Talent & Literary Agency.
He lives in Ohio with a Scooby Doo lookalike rescue named Red.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 14, 2018
Burke is by far one of my all time favorite story tellers of the macab; so, it was no surprise this short was fantastic. An excellent main character and even more excellent writing from his point of view. A nightmarish situation that only gets worse and more blood curdling by the end. Perfect Halloween read.
October 17, 2019
If you are looking for a Halloween story this is not it. In saying that, it's a bloody good read. KPB never fails to impress.
September 19, 2013
A successful, if ruthless, businessman finds himself buried alive. He bides his time considering who could have done this to him and contemplating meeting unknown demands to secure his escape.
4 STARS
4 STARS
April 23, 2022
Opinião completa no blog BUÉ DE LIVROS: The toll
«(...) o narrador é Miles Camden, um milionário que, numa noite de halloween, acorda num caixão, vários metros abaixo da terra. Perto dele, está um sino que lhe permitiria alertar aqueles que, mais acima, o poderiam socorrer.
Mas a Miles Camden não ocorre tocar o sino imediatamente. Ao invés, prefere conjecturar sobre quem o terá enterrado vivo, o porquê de o ter feito, e qual será o preço a pagar. Isso leva-o a reflectir nas suas escolhas ao longo da vida, e que culminaram numa existência abastada e solitária.
O protagonista de The toll é um homem ambicioso que fez fortuna sendo implacável. Não nos esconde quem é, e a sua reacção inicial quando acorda num caixão é de admirar a criatividade de quem o fez, o que torna a leitura deste conto muito mais interessante. (...)»
«(...) o narrador é Miles Camden, um milionário que, numa noite de halloween, acorda num caixão, vários metros abaixo da terra. Perto dele, está um sino que lhe permitiria alertar aqueles que, mais acima, o poderiam socorrer.
Mas a Miles Camden não ocorre tocar o sino imediatamente. Ao invés, prefere conjecturar sobre quem o terá enterrado vivo, o porquê de o ter feito, e qual será o preço a pagar. Isso leva-o a reflectir nas suas escolhas ao longo da vida, e que culminaram numa existência abastada e solitária.
O protagonista de The toll é um homem ambicioso que fez fortuna sendo implacável. Não nos esconde quem é, e a sua reacção inicial quando acorda num caixão é de admirar a criatividade de quem o fez, o que torna a leitura deste conto muito mais interessante. (...)»
September 7, 2018
The heart of a merciless man is hard and cold—without love or empathy.
Camden discovers (in the most distasteful way, of course) that what we put out in the world will come back to us tenfold. Camden is shown we all have a debt to pay in this world. However, his could have been lessened if he’d shown a glint of mercy and kindness.
Kealan has a diverse talent and free-spirited writing style that captivates his readers and this story is no exception to that forte. The Toll is almost heartbreaking in its way proving the ruthless and most callous of men can learn to love, even if it's in their last breath of life.
Camden discovers (in the most distasteful way, of course) that what we put out in the world will come back to us tenfold. Camden is shown we all have a debt to pay in this world. However, his could have been lessened if he’d shown a glint of mercy and kindness.
Kealan has a diverse talent and free-spirited writing style that captivates his readers and this story is no exception to that forte. The Toll is almost heartbreaking in its way proving the ruthless and most callous of men can learn to love, even if it's in their last breath of life.
November 4, 2012
Another amazing, well-written story from Burke. This short story (approx. 16 pages) is an eerie tale of a millionaire who never really invested emotion into anything but making more money. He knew one day his enemies would catch up with him. When one does, he is amused to find himself buried in a coffin. Instead of freaking out, he admires his enemy's creativity.
I have yet to be disappointed by anything I've read by Burke. I highly recommend this short story!
*Book Hollow
I have yet to be disappointed by anything I've read by Burke. I highly recommend this short story!
*Book Hollow
October 31, 2012
A good old-fashioned short story from Burke that reads like an ode to Poe. Very well-written with a nice ending that fits the story perfectly.
November 8, 2012
Solid short from KPB! Definitely Poe-esk and entertaining. Soild 4.5 Stars. Excellent!
October 24, 2014
What an excellent story by Burke. I'm left speechless.
October 26, 2017
3.5 stars rounded to 4
November 8, 2019
Not bad
February 19, 2021
Finished this in about 20 minutes but damn... That was a fun twenty minutes. Mr. Burke is quickly making his way up my favorite authors list.
July 28, 2025
Breve. psicologico. Semplice.
October 6, 2013
Excellent little tale about a ruthless aging businessman who finds himself buried in a coffin. He ponders who in his life would be conniving and angry enough to put him in this position.
An excellent short story!
An excellent short story!
August 30, 2014
A great new version of the " one day you'll wake up dead" scenario. short and creepy. Just the way it should be. And if you want to insult someone, take a few of our stars pithy lil put downs out to play. Guaranteed a punch in the face. Great short sharp shock.
October 1, 2022
If you are looking for an intense read, having a little to do with Halloween, this is your book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews