Thirteen chilling tales of horror and the macabre. Awarded iUniverse Editor's Choice. From the first story of a little girl locked in a closet to the last tale of a fishing trip gone horrible wrong, this collection of stories will haunt you and thrill you. Read them after dark if you dare!
Here is what readers are saying about 13 Nightmares:
"It was like watching a horror movie through parted fingers. You don't want to know, but you can't help but look. I was dragged through each story unable to stop myself. Very well written.”
“Some of the best horror stories I've ever read. Fantastic! Your description was disgusting, and vivid, like I was there watching.”
“It's gritty, repulsive, insane and terrifying. Reading it was like rubbernecking at the scene of a car accident. You don't want to look, but you can't pry your eyes away.”
“INTENSE!!!! Great writing. Great stories. it drags you along right through the mud (and gore).”
Amazon.com reviews:
Dennis McDonald's recently released story collection, 13 Nightmares, delivers on the chills and thrills scale. A tagline from one of the stories is featured on the back of the book : "Horror is best written in the dark." McDonald was surely in the deepest bowels of subterranean dark when penning these tales because they will satisfy the most supernaturally starved, macabre munching, horror hound around. So sit back - do not try to get comfortable because these will keep you on the edge of your seat - and do read "13 Nightmares". The writing is quality with strong characterizations revealing a deep understanding of human nature and a masterful use of setting to add to the atmosphere of the tales. Highly recommend it for library collections on 'Oklahoma authors', short story collections, and any paranormal or horror reading needs or collections.
Wow! I wasn't expecting this. The book is fantastic! The author writes that "Horror is best written in the dark." Well, this book's horror is best read in the dark, or around a campfire, or under your sheet with a flashlight. Not for the feint of heart! The first story grabs you - and the victim - and the fun flits like a willow-wisp with every new page. Gawd, I couldn't wait to see what the next 'nightmare' offered! Only wish their were at least a baker's dozen more! A great read - highly recommended.
A number of what I hope are editing issues more than the author's failings, with things like THEN being used where THAN is grammatically proper. If you can over look these kind of rough edges, this author has a lot of great and truly comfort disrupting themes that make him a fantastic potential. Some hit and miss but absolutely more hits than misses!
Seesaw …. .Dead Line ….. The Red Church ….. The Girl Next Door ….. The Last Trick or Treat ….. Atrocity ….. The End of the Road ….. Jack the Knife ….. Night Freight ….. The Butcher Brothers ….. The Curse ….. Pest Control ….. Live Bait ….. Thirteen short stories that as bound to run a chill down your back, completely gross you out and / or keep you up at night. Some of the stories brought me back to my early youth when I was frightened at night by every shadow that appeared on my bedroom walls or the unknown demons residing under my bed. Others just scared me as they could happen but hopefully never will. One took me back forty years in a world far from that in which I grew up in a time I’ve tried to rationalize and if that proved unsuccessful, forget. This book has been a familiar companion for longer than most books I read. This is because for the last couple of weeks it has been prominently occupying space in my bathroom. Don’t get the wrong impression as this doesn’t reflect in the least on the literary quality of the book but only on the bite size (or probably better stated the sit down size) of each individual tale; just right for those unavoidable timeouts caused by gastric movements (I never like to waste time unnecessarily). I’ve always been a big fan of works by authors such as Stephen King and Dean Koontz and these stories nestle nicely in this genre. The stories are of varying lengths and quality so my opinion must encompass the thirteen as a whole.
some seemed to end too soon. don't let the kindle read for you. it tended to run through them all and made it confusing. better proofreading would have been a good thing, as the miss spelled words threw me off the flow. I linked the flow of each story and there were surprising endings that I didn't see coming.
It was well written and surprisingly good, though parts were disturbing and felt as if they were left undone. I have this book a five out of five for its originality and ambience
This author spins fantastic horror tales, many of them still linger in my mind, especially as spooky season approaches. Currently from Enid, Oklahoma, you'll notice that many of the tales have an Okie background!
I have to say this book of horror stories was a little more to my liking. I didn't care for all of them but most were really creepy. I do recommend this book, Good job Mr McDonald. kozetteksmith