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The Macabre Collection
Mask of the Macabre
Four short tales of Victorian terror, each bound to the other by a chilling thread.
The date is January 10th 1866 and the snow is falling thick on the blood soaked streets of a murderous London…
Mask of The Macabre – A travelling magician appears with a gruesome show. But what secret does it hide?
Doctor Harvey – Bethlem lunatic asylum’s newest patient has a story to tell, but how will he tell it to his doctor?
Memento Mori – A photographer is given a mysterious assignment with disturbing consequences.
The New Costume. – The entertainer discovers a new string to his bow and gives the finest performance of his career.
(13,000 words in total)
The date is January 10th 1866 and the snow is falling thick on the blood soaked streets of a murderous London…
Mask of The Macabre – A travelling magician appears with a gruesome show. But what secret does it hide?
Doctor Harvey – Bethlem lunatic asylum’s newest patient has a story to tell, but how will he tell it to his doctor?
Memento Mori – A photographer is given a mysterious assignment with disturbing consequences.
The New Costume. – The entertainer discovers a new string to his bow and gives the finest performance of his career.
(13,000 words in total)
37 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2013
19 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
David Haynes
28 books213 followersWhen 12 year-old David Haynes picked up a battered copy of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot, he never looked back.
Writing in the grand tradition of the horror paperback originals of his misspent youth, Haynes populates his spine-chilling novels with ancient evils and small-town terrors, mutant monstrosities and knife-wielding psychopaths, and is dedicated to disproving the depressing observation that “...they don’t write ‘em like they used to.”
David Haynes is the author of sixteen horror novels and three collections of macabre short fiction, and lives in England with his wife and dog - that he wasn’t allowed to call Cujo.
Writing in the grand tradition of the horror paperback originals of his misspent youth, Haynes populates his spine-chilling novels with ancient evils and small-town terrors, mutant monstrosities and knife-wielding psychopaths, and is dedicated to disproving the depressing observation that “...they don’t write ‘em like they used to.”
David Haynes is the author of sixteen horror novels and three collections of macabre short fiction, and lives in England with his wife and dog - that he wasn’t allowed to call Cujo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 14, 2016
4.5/5!
I enjoyed this set of 4 Victorian stories that were all connected by a common thread.
There's a magician, a death photographer, a dark theater and an insane asylum. All of this in a tasty little bite that goes down quick like a shot of smooth tequila.
Highly recommended AND its free! Get your copy here: Mask of the Macabre
I enjoyed this set of 4 Victorian stories that were all connected by a common thread.
There's a magician, a death photographer, a dark theater and an insane asylum. All of this in a tasty little bite that goes down quick like a shot of smooth tequila.
Highly recommended AND its free! Get your copy here: Mask of the Macabre
October 21, 2016
a good fun little read.
November 14, 2016
Aww what a cute little read! Dank and dark Victorian England, 4 short stories that all connect up one way or another. Lots of atmosphere and gruesome deathly stuff! Loved it. On the lookout for more from this author.
February 11, 2013
This quartet of inter-related short stories is written in the Penny Dreadful style of Victorian melodrama and it pulls the style off very well. The language is measured and portentous; the dark alley-ways of Victorian London with their swirling mists are conjured up very evocatively. The stories are engaging but gruesome. They aren’t the slasher, bloodfest style of horror, although there’s blood in there aplenty. They are more the creepy, unpleasant and subtle kind of old fashioned horror which I very much enjoy.
There’s some lovely writing here; good descriptions of the night time scenes, the buildings, the people. David Haynes’ writing is showing great fluency and his characters become three dimensional because of it. There’s the theatre performer whose show is more than it seems, a lunatic asylum patient, a photographer of the dead, producing the Memento Mori beloved of those times and almost, a return to the beginning.... One character in the book stood out for me and aroused my compassion but I can’t say more without spoiling the story. You’ll have to read it to find out! This is a little gem of its genre.
There’s some lovely writing here; good descriptions of the night time scenes, the buildings, the people. David Haynes’ writing is showing great fluency and his characters become three dimensional because of it. There’s the theatre performer whose show is more than it seems, a lunatic asylum patient, a photographer of the dead, producing the Memento Mori beloved of those times and almost, a return to the beginning.... One character in the book stood out for me and aroused my compassion but I can’t say more without spoiling the story. You’ll have to read it to find out! This is a little gem of its genre.
January 5, 2019
A really interesting concept marred by subpar writing and a lack of characterization. Additionally, it is totally fine to use commas every now and then.
December 18, 2019
A delightful collection of four horror tales that all connect with each other. They take place in Victorian London and are written in the style of the penny dreadfuls of the time. Superbly written and the stories all work well. Well worth a read for horror fans.
April 14, 2013
Mask of the Macabre is a must-read for lovers of Victorian fiction. It is so firmly set in that stylised world of gas lamps, squalor, wealthy gentlemen and horse-and-carriage that it feels like it might be a modern reprint of a genuine 'penny dreadful'!
The four stories dovetail very well into each other, working just as well as smaller tales. David Haynes writes in a style very fitting to the Victorian era, full of exquisite detail and pomposity. It took me a while to get used to such a dense and overly-descriptive style, which doesn't usually appeal, but towards the end I came to appreciate how it added flavour and texture to the stories. Although this is a short read, I was impressed enough to buy Ballet of the Bones which seems to be a stylistic sequel.
The four stories dovetail very well into each other, working just as well as smaller tales. David Haynes writes in a style very fitting to the Victorian era, full of exquisite detail and pomposity. It took me a while to get used to such a dense and overly-descriptive style, which doesn't usually appeal, but towards the end I came to appreciate how it added flavour and texture to the stories. Although this is a short read, I was impressed enough to buy Ballet of the Bones which seems to be a stylistic sequel.
May 3, 2013
I love the gritty feel of Victorian horror and Haynes does a great job capturing that feel.
Four related horror short stories that are certainly worth checking out!
4 STARS
Four related horror short stories that are certainly worth checking out!
4 STARS
May 18, 2013
With an interesting sounding title I was already intrigued to read this. Upon reading the first story I thought this is gonna be good and it was more than that it was great. Each story is very compelling and very telling and I realized each story runs into each other continuing from the other. The author is very detailed and descriptive in the telling of his tales and while using big words at times still the reader can still understand what is going on. I love a good shocker or surprise and this book delivers just that throughout the book again and again. Sometimes I felt as though I were in London(where the stories took place) walking the streets peering around me wondering if I myself was next, yes it was that good. You know a story gets to you when you yourself can place yourself in it. I loved the way each story was told and I feel as though nothing was left out. You get a great blend of mystery and gruesome gore along with suspense and bloody violence. If your looking for a character to root for here then your wont find one, you'll feel as an innocent bystander wondering if your next which quite frankly I kind of rather enjoyed. I strongly recommend this book to any horror lover and look forward to reading other works of the author David Haynes.
May 6, 2013
Historical London, where King Cholera kills while magicians entertain with imagined death, is the backdrop for these short stories. But there’s something stronger than imagination in the magic act portrayed at the start of David Haynes’ four tales in Mask of the Macabre. If Lewis Caroll’s Alice is too full of nonsense for the self-absorbed narrator, the magician’s act might seem equally too full of unperceived sense. “You, Mr. Lovett, wear a mask every day,” the magician says. But that mask remains a macabre mystery waiting to be resolved.
What follows is a series of four connected stories built on the fabric of the Bethlehem asylum and the masks of doctors, patients and sinners, each dark, horrific and gruesome, each told in the smoothly bleak narration of Victorian mystery, and each gripping in its own way. Masks shift and turn. Crimes find us out until only the puppeteer remains, pulling strings at the grave.
The final two tales feel slightly rushed compared to the first, but the whole is a nicely intriguing collection, a novella in four parts, each haunting and dark.
Disclosure: I found this ebook when it was free.
What follows is a series of four connected stories built on the fabric of the Bethlehem asylum and the masks of doctors, patients and sinners, each dark, horrific and gruesome, each told in the smoothly bleak narration of Victorian mystery, and each gripping in its own way. Masks shift and turn. Crimes find us out until only the puppeteer remains, pulling strings at the grave.
The final two tales feel slightly rushed compared to the first, but the whole is a nicely intriguing collection, a novella in four parts, each haunting and dark.
Disclosure: I found this ebook when it was free.
February 25, 2013
This is the first book I have read by David Haynes and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I read the book in an evening and, as another reviewer has pointed out, it is best to read the stories one after the other so you appreciate the links between each. Indeed, part of the interest in this book is seeing just how each story relates to the others.
The four tales are nicely gruesome and splendidly suffused with menace and dread. The writing itself is wonderfully atmospheric. The author described certain scenes so well, I felt I was there. The writing put me in mind of Charles Dickens’ ghost stories; the voice of each story feels authentic and apt for the time.
Each story is a delightfully creepy and well-rounded tale, but put together this book is so much more. At the end, it felt like it had almost come full circle. This is a great little collection, quite unlike anything else I have read recently. I just loved it!
The four tales are nicely gruesome and splendidly suffused with menace and dread. The writing itself is wonderfully atmospheric. The author described certain scenes so well, I felt I was there. The writing put me in mind of Charles Dickens’ ghost stories; the voice of each story feels authentic and apt for the time.
Each story is a delightfully creepy and well-rounded tale, but put together this book is so much more. At the end, it felt like it had almost come full circle. This is a great little collection, quite unlike anything else I have read recently. I just loved it!
February 28, 2013
When Mask of the Macabre popped up on my Amazon page I was immediately taken by the cover image, and being a rather rubbish conjurer, the promise of magicians!
So I took a punt and thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon spent with performers, lunatics and murderers.
As previous reviews have mentioned Mask of the Macabre is a series of 4 Victorian horror tales that vary in length. Each story is connected to the other which leads to a satisfying and sinister conclusion. For this reason I'd recommend finishing the book in one sitting.
I found MotM to be an eloquent, imaginative tale, in a genre that's right up my (dark) alley. 77p for such an enjoyable afternoon in the company of J. Lovett and other gin soaked characters is an absolute bargain. Recommended.
So I took a punt and thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon spent with performers, lunatics and murderers.
As previous reviews have mentioned Mask of the Macabre is a series of 4 Victorian horror tales that vary in length. Each story is connected to the other which leads to a satisfying and sinister conclusion. For this reason I'd recommend finishing the book in one sitting.
I found MotM to be an eloquent, imaginative tale, in a genre that's right up my (dark) alley. 77p for such an enjoyable afternoon in the company of J. Lovett and other gin soaked characters is an absolute bargain. Recommended.
May 1, 2013
Review from the wife.
Although Mask of the Macabre follows the same theme and characters as Ballet of the Bones, she enjoyed Mask much more. She said the third story, about the photographer was atmospheric and poignant, and the connections were far subtler. She said Haynes' written tone worked well to build the atmosphere and amplify the horror, beyond simply describing bursts of violence.
She said she had the strong urge to reread Poe after she put it down, just because it was fairly short, but whet her appetite for the formal eeriness of industrial-revolution era society. She wished there'd been a bit more to this collection, because it went by so fast!
Although Mask of the Macabre follows the same theme and characters as Ballet of the Bones, she enjoyed Mask much more. She said the third story, about the photographer was atmospheric and poignant, and the connections were far subtler. She said Haynes' written tone worked well to build the atmosphere and amplify the horror, beyond simply describing bursts of violence.
She said she had the strong urge to reread Poe after she put it down, just because it was fairly short, but whet her appetite for the formal eeriness of industrial-revolution era society. She wished there'd been a bit more to this collection, because it went by so fast!
October 11, 2013
The Mask of the Macabre is cleverly demonic--four short tales on the dark side that lend proof to the fact the monsters are real and they walk among us. The four tales are very well written in the classic style of traditional horror, reminiscent of Ambrose Bierce, Henry James, or Oliver Onions. Gently interwoven, each one feeds upon a central theme and each one delivers its own little ironic twist.
Haynes pulls the reader right in and delivers these spine-tinglers without reliance upon cheap shock value or needless violence and gore. Succinct and swift, easily read in a single sitting, this book is a fun read and I look forward to more.
Haynes pulls the reader right in and delivers these spine-tinglers without reliance upon cheap shock value or needless violence and gore. Succinct and swift, easily read in a single sitting, this book is a fun read and I look forward to more.
January 9, 2017
Entertaining
These 4 interconnected stories were very entertaining. I enjoyed the first one the most but all of them were good and the connections throughout were entertaining.
These 4 interconnected stories were very entertaining. I enjoyed the first one the most but all of them were good and the connections throughout were entertaining.
October 8, 2018
Somewhere between two and three stars
I honestly can't remember how this book ended up in my device, that too through Amazon (I don't even BUY books from Amazon and bitch I know you know it, that's why you torture me so much through Kindle, don't you?)
Anyway, it's a pretty straightforward horror anthology. Straightforward in the sense there's murders, there's gore and there's blood. The mystery aspect is quite lacking and there's little to no character development.
Overall, I'd say it's a good short read for when you're bored and in the mood of reading at 3 AM. Plus, it's horror so even though I finished it a day late, it counts as a book I read during GR horror weeks.
The stories are very short so reviewing them would mean giving the plot away. So the discovering I'll leave to you. As for if it was enough to "scare" me or "horrify" me....meh. I've read better. (That's what too much gore does to you, lol)
I honestly can't remember how this book ended up in my device, that too through Amazon (I don't even BUY books from Amazon and bitch I know you know it, that's why you torture me so much through Kindle, don't you?)
Anyway, it's a pretty straightforward horror anthology. Straightforward in the sense there's murders, there's gore and there's blood. The mystery aspect is quite lacking and there's little to no character development.
Overall, I'd say it's a good short read for when you're bored and in the mood of reading at 3 AM. Plus, it's horror so even though I finished it a day late, it counts as a book I read during GR horror weeks.
The stories are very short so reviewing them would mean giving the plot away. So the discovering I'll leave to you. As for if it was enough to "scare" me or "horrify" me....meh. I've read better. (That's what too much gore does to you, lol)
February 7, 2018
This story has a great Victorian vibe. At only about 13,000 words in all, it is 4 connecting but separate stories of horror. To say much more would spoil it, so I will just say that as the old saying goes, 'good things come in small packages.' :)
February 15, 2018
Short but packed with an interesting punch
Mask of the Macabre is not a tale you will want to read deep in the night, nor when the weather is gloomy with foggy shadows or lightening and rain. It is however an interesting and horrifying story you will want to share with others in the deep darkness of a moonless night.
Mask of the Macabre is not a tale you will want to read deep in the night, nor when the weather is gloomy with foggy shadows or lightening and rain. It is however an interesting and horrifying story you will want to share with others in the deep darkness of a moonless night.
May 24, 2017
Nicely written collection from an author whose work I have recently discovered and enjoy.
October 5, 2013
This is 4 stories that are cleverly linked and have an authentic victorian gothic feel in each story. The stories are as follows:Mask of the Macabre - A magician who performs a gruesome stage act hides a secret that an admirer of his show is determined to find out. This was my least favourite story, it got a bit confusing for me although the other stories helped to clarify the ending more.Doctor Harvey - A doctor in an asylum becomes interested in his newest inmate but will the 'doctor' want to hear the tales he has to tell. This was my favourite of the four, I loved the ending.Momento Mori - A photographer who specialises in death photography is given a special assignment.The New Costume - An entertainer begins a new chapter in his life and career. An unsettling but great ending to the quartet.This is a gruesome read without being over the top and the author does a great job in building atmosphere and suspense in such a short read. I will definitely be checking out the authors other works.
May 23, 2013
Mask of the Macabre sets the scene for your journey to the sordidly time-worn and foggy streets of Victorian London. You will soon wonder at the magician's grisly sleight of hand, and be shocked by the change of scene taking you within the walls of the Bethlem lunatic asylum. Then, the photographer's hideous job will make you wonder at the evil within human nature; depositing you, finally, with the entertainer - looking to expand his gruesome repertoire.
This is a deliciously gruesome collection of four short stories by David Haynes which intertwine cleverly. A compelling read!
This is a deliciously gruesome collection of four short stories by David Haynes which intertwine cleverly. A compelling read!
July 16, 2013
Definitely not for those of a nervous disposition! Great atmosphere and use of language to convey a sense of Victorian gloomth (it was a real word apparently). All of the stories are connected and develop the main plot via the perspective of different characters. Mr. Haynes certainly has a vivid imagination and can really tell a story in a gripping manner. If you like your horror draped in Victorian fog and frock coats, this is the book for you.
October 31, 2016
Connecting stories.
Morbid tales that are standalones at first but by the end intertwine to what previously happened. Great fireside twisted drama. Leather face horror that is disturbing. Good Halloween read.
Morbid tales that are standalones at first but by the end intertwine to what previously happened. Great fireside twisted drama. Leather face horror that is disturbing. Good Halloween read.
December 23, 2018
Engaging and macabre.
This a deliciously macabre set of five short stories all interconnected and tied up in a neat bloody little now at the end.
This a deliciously macabre set of five short stories all interconnected and tied up in a neat bloody little now at the end.
November 6, 2015
Yesterday rained so much here, lots of thunders, dark and chilly, and this book was perfect to read it with that kind of weather. Four POV´s of 4 different men who are related to each other in some way. The plot takes place in Victorian London; there are a lot of blood, murders, revenge, mystery and crazy men.
The end was a bit abrupt, or maybe that is my opinion only, as I always have the same feeling when I read short stories. Nice short horror story, and very well written.
I got a free copy from Amazon.
The end was a bit abrupt, or maybe that is my opinion only, as I always have the same feeling when I read short stories. Nice short horror story, and very well written.
I got a free copy from Amazon.
October 25, 2016
This book contains a series of short stories that are quietly related. Each story is a nicely developed Victorian horror. The descriptions of the settings are perfect and make you feel that you are the one riding in the hansom cab with your top hat, cane, and cloak through the dark streets of London that are overflowing with riffraff. A gruesome read for Halloween!
September 9, 2014
Beautiful writing to savour. This collection is short and perfectly formed, will be following this writers future output with interest. If you enjoy Victorian gothic then you will enjoy this little set of dark miniatures.
July 6, 2013
I reviewed the Box Set Collection here:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
October 16, 2021
Linked together by a common thread, Mask of the Macabre by David Haynes provides four short Victorian terror stories.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
In nineteenth century London, there’s a string of acts that strike terror in the minds of people, common and well-to-do alike. First there’s a gruesome show put on by a traveling magician. Second, a man named Doctor Harvey, despite not being an actual doctor, and his experience within Bethlem asylum’s walls. Third, a photographer making a living through capturing death photos receives an odd request with double his standard rate that will prove to be more disturbing than anticipated. And finally, the strung together stories are brought to a conclusion with an entertainer performing at a high point of his career.
A quick read that aims to evoke dread in readers with the dark and gruesome things depicted and the gloomy atmosphere they reside in, these short stories are tied together through a common thread, which was an interesting method of creating a cohesive whole out of what could be somewhat disparate parts. While the narratives work well to build toward a larger end game from the kaleidoscopic parts, the second story “Doctor Harvey” was the most intriguing to me and it was over far too soon for all the possibilities for what it could have explored from the psychological perspective. As there’s a brevity to the stories, there’s not much in the way of development for either the cast of characters introduced or the mystery that unites them, leaving this offering a little lackluster but still reasonably entertaining.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
In nineteenth century London, there’s a string of acts that strike terror in the minds of people, common and well-to-do alike. First there’s a gruesome show put on by a traveling magician. Second, a man named Doctor Harvey, despite not being an actual doctor, and his experience within Bethlem asylum’s walls. Third, a photographer making a living through capturing death photos receives an odd request with double his standard rate that will prove to be more disturbing than anticipated. And finally, the strung together stories are brought to a conclusion with an entertainer performing at a high point of his career.
A quick read that aims to evoke dread in readers with the dark and gruesome things depicted and the gloomy atmosphere they reside in, these short stories are tied together through a common thread, which was an interesting method of creating a cohesive whole out of what could be somewhat disparate parts. While the narratives work well to build toward a larger end game from the kaleidoscopic parts, the second story “Doctor Harvey” was the most intriguing to me and it was over far too soon for all the possibilities for what it could have explored from the psychological perspective. As there’s a brevity to the stories, there’s not much in the way of development for either the cast of characters introduced or the mystery that unites them, leaving this offering a little lackluster but still reasonably entertaining.
December 22, 2017
Great Gothicism Vine of Horror
The tales told in this novel are perfect for a stormy night or cold late wake session. Each tale is stand alone however as with latest pop culture trend these tales connect via shared universe not sequels . This is a great way to take what's now a common trope and use it in an new form of media. I hope this author does more like this and in other settings. I wish I knew if the guy did it? A follow-up is highly suggested and wanted.
The tales told in this novel are perfect for a stormy night or cold late wake session. Each tale is stand alone however as with latest pop culture trend these tales connect via shared universe not sequels . This is a great way to take what's now a common trope and use it in an new form of media. I hope this author does more like this and in other settings. I wish I knew if the guy did it? A follow-up is highly suggested and wanted.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews