When the Lights Go Out

by Kevin Lucia

When the lights go out...that's when things change. When masks are put aside, and eerie truths are laid bare. It's when towns grow extra streets and cul-de-sacs which don't exist in daytime. When whispered wishes and fantasies become reality. When our deepest fears and most powerful longings become flesh. When ambitions become obsessions which overpower us, and leads us to our ends.

But it's also when our imaginations run free, unfettered by the trappings of mundane living. Just as the dark unleashes despair, it also fuels fantastical leaps impossible to take during the day. It's the canvas upon which we paint worlds and universes which take the darkness and create something out of nothing.

In his new collection, one of the leading voices in small press horror offers up and eclectic collection of strange tales - the kind which can only happen when the lights go out, and we close our eyes.

"Kevin Lucia is this generation's answer to Charles L. Grant." - Horror Grandmaster, Bram Stoker Award-Winning Author, Brian Keene

"Kevin Lucia's writing is both scary and smart, a lethal cocktail that makes for mesmerizing storytelling." - Tosca Lee, New York Times Bestselling Author of A Memoir

"Lucia is a true craftsman of the horror story, with a fine sense of the genre's best traditions." - Norman Prentiss, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Invisible Fences and The Fleshless Man

“Kevin Lucia writes my favorite kind of horror...the subtle breed, the sort you don’t see coming until they’re already upon you and you realize it’s too late to catch a breath." - Kealan Patrick Burke, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Turtle Boy and Kin.

"Kevin Lucia is a major new voice in the horror genre.” - Jonathan Janz, author of The Nightmare Girl

Genres: Horror, Short Stories

390 pages, Paperback

Published May 31, 2024

About the author

Kevin Lucia is the ebook and trade paperback editor at Cemetery Dance Publications. His short fiction has been published in many venues, most notably with Clive Barker, David Morell, Peter Straub, Bentley Little, and Robert McCammon.

His first short story collection, Things Slip Through, was published by Crystal Lake Publishing in November, 2013. He's followed that with the collections Through A Mirror, Darkly, Devourer of Souls, Things You Need, October Nights, and the novellas Mystery Road, A Night at Old Webb, and The Night Road.

Reviews

[Irene Well Worth A Read]

I love short horror stories and especially enjoy when author notes are included. I'm always fascinated to learn how the stories or the ideas for them came to be. I had a great time with the majority of this book. I do have to say that ending the book with story fragments that are bits and pieces of tales that may or may not ever come to be is such a tease. I hope to see them completed someday. Especially the one about the snow that is not snow. You can not start to tell me about a burning snowstorm that falls in warm weather and then leave me hanging.

The author's writing style pulls me in, to the point that I can't help but be invested in the story even when warned ahead of time that it won't be complete.

As far as the complete stories in this collection the book begins with a more traditional ghost story that takes place in a haunted school before moving on to less benevolent tales that combine the supernatural with psychological horror. I had multiple favorites, including one about a man who creates his own world out of model trains, a can recycling center that is more than it seems, and every story that had anything to do with Bassler House. Creepy and clever twists kept me turning the pages.


I received an advance copy

[Milt Theo]

Well, this is not an easy book to review properly. It's Kevin Lucia's new short horror story collection, but it might as well be two books under one cover. The first book would be the proper stories, wonderful gems of quiet horror, in Lucia's fine prose, masterfully told and brilliantly paced, aiming at maximum creepiness and thick with slow-burning dread, always delivering what they promise. The second book, however, containing "several partials that, for one reason or another, I was never able to finish," as the author himself explains, feels very odd and can be interpreted in at least two different ways. One, it's a map made of the crumbs a writer leaves behind, when the journey does not take them to the promised land. This kind of map is instructive to see and ponder over, occasionally entertaining, and, if you adore Lucia's writing and would like to catch a glimpse of his mind post-action (as I do), you will experience some of the magic behind the scenes, as long as you acknowledge the fragmentary nature of the tricks. Another way to perceive these stories, however, is to feel exasperation with their lack of ending, and be overwhelmed with sadness due to the sense of finality permeating them. According to Lucia, this is the best he could do; they will remain unfinished, and that's that. This part of the book feels a bit like Lucia is taking stock. Surely, the balance sheet is positive and, hopefully, more collections are to follow.

Let's focus on the first kind of stories, therefore, and immediately point out that they are EXCELLENT! The first story, "Ballad of the Broken Hearts at the Danse Macabre," on top of its amazing title, is a awesome tale of ghosts in a haunted school: a nailbiting read told in a King-like voice, but with a scene in the school custodian’s office that truly made me shiver. It's the quintessential ghost story and it was my favorite. Close second came two very early Clifton Heights stories, Lucia's fictional small town. "Monster" and "Nudie Books," full with teenage banter, are about Bassler House, a place that comes up repeatedly in this circle of stories, the town's haunted house. Both stories hit the sweet spot if you like hauntings. A story I found quite bizarre is about photography and has the honor of mentioning the French philosopher Gilles Deleuze and his philosophy of visual media (probably the first and the last time he's mentioned in a horror story!) "Out Of Frame Theory" is one of those stories worth-reading, but which need to be talked about. It's a superb meditation on pictures, complete with custom horror effects. Another hugely entertaining Clifton Heights story was "The Return of the Soldier." But there's also a story connected to Lucia's recently published Billy the Kid weird western; this will be better understood if you've read the book.

Overall, this is a fine short story collection, and I haven't even mentioned artist Nathan Slater's sketches, which Lucia included for a graphic serial project (another impressive title, "Asphalt Oceans by Midnight")! There's something for everyone here; a literary bag of treats, as they say.

[Kiirstyannee.reads]

Thank you Cemetery Dance Publications & Kevin Lucia for the read!

I had the best time reading this. I flew like it like there was hardly any pages. Each story was unique and had a different spooky theme to it. The stories were short and there are a few stand outs that I'm still thinking of now! I didn't mind that the second half was quite different from the first half - but I do understand this was something that others had issues with.

I loved the little touches in this ebook - the font was different, the images at the start / end of each story, pictures in the middle and then the little bits of information at the end of the stories from the author.

Overall a great read and I look forward to reading more from Kevin. This collection of stories are perfect for people looking for a book with a variety of short stories that you can binge or you can savour and read a few every now and then!

[Alexandra Huffaker]

Every story felt like a whole different book. They had their own special twists and they were all fantastic and stood out. I enjoyed the Author's notes after each story as well especially the "based on a true story" vibe ones.

[Thaddeus Jansen]

This is an excellent assortment of horror shorts that anyone can find something they will love. Full of terrifying images, horrific storylines, and an overwhelming amount of grief. I was surprised by the various styles storytelling in this one novel. I cannot recommend this book enough.

[Leighah]

I didn't mind the first half of this book with it's stories all set in one town. I really enjoyed the two that involved train sets and how they were connected not only by characters but also objects. This author has a nice writing style which flows nicely and is easy to absorb. I must admit I did struugle with the second half of this book. Even though it was interesting to see how the author had approached different genres it just felt like s mish mash of earlier work that was used to fill more pages. I wished there was more of the 1st half.

[Krissy Dore]

If you haven't read this book pick it up asap!!!

[Shasta]

We All Go Into the Dark
By Kevin Lucia
Release date December 6, 2024

Staying true to the town and atmosphere of Clifton heights, this hit the spot for me.
Each story is unique, creepy, and so much fun. What a great addition to this small town series. Though I’m not sure it’s an actual series vs just stories taking place in the same town. There is no need to read Lucia’s books in any order, the town is the main character. What a wild place to live/visit. So many spooky things always happening.
I absolutely love reading Kevin’s books, they always take me to a place I love to go (away from my own reality), and the stories and characters are always developed well, and just the right length without any filler junk. Even though you’re left wanting more, it’s because he’s a great writer, not because of loose ends.
If you’re looking for fast paced and exciting short stories this may be the book for you. Plus it would be a great place to get a taste of what Kevin Lucia has to offer, which is pure horror entertainment.

Just for the record, I’m a huge fan and have read just about everything Kevin has put out. I have to say the second story, The Man Who Sits in His Chair, has now become one of my favorite stories he has written. Coming in second to, Joey Leonard’s Last Horror Movie Marathon.

As always, it was an honor and privilege to be an arc reader for Kevin Lucia. Thank you ☺️ I’m now impatiently awaiting your next book.

[Pranati Tiwari]

When the Lights Go Out is a fantastic collection of horror short stories that hooks you right from the start. Each story takes you on a creepy journey into the unknown, mixing psychological tension with supernatural elements to create an atmosphere of pure terror. The author's storytelling and vivid descriptions pull you into eerie settings where the line between reality and nightmare blurs.

This collection starts with "A Ballad of Broken Hearts" which was a classic ghost tale. "Out of Frame Theory" was another standout. I really enjoyed "Reparations"Author said it didn't have much of a plot, but I didn't think so. There were so many characters, but it could've easily been about Russ, Jenny Tillman, Pastor, and Hastur. "The Return of the Soldier" reminded me of the Constantine movie, which I loved. "Of Faerie Tales and Shadow" had a cozy, summer vacation feel. But my favourite was Timor Infinitium. It was creepy, tense and had gothic vibes!!

The second part of the book, with its "several partials that, for one reason or another, I was never able to finish," as the author puts it, was something I hadn't seen before. They were half-cooked ideas a writer leaves behind to pick up later. I liked some of them so much that I got engrossed and was surprised when they ended abruptly, forgetting they were just ideas and not full stories.

This collection is perfect for anyone looking for an assortment of short stories that you can binge in one go or savor slowly over time, as i did.

[Robin Ginther-Venneri]

5 Star Rating
3 Skull Dread Rating

"When the Lights Go Out" by Kevin Lucia

When the lights go out, everything changes. 🎭 Masks come off, and eerie truths come to light. 🌌 Towns grow extra streets and cul-de-sacs that aren’t there during the day. Whispered wishes and fantasies turn real. Our deepest fears and desires take shape. 😱 Ambitions can become obsessions that overpower us.

But the dark also sets our imaginations free. ✨ It’s a time when we dream up fantastical ideas that seem impossible during the day. It’s like a blank canvas where we create whole new worlds out of nothing.

Kevin Lucia’s new collection dives into these spooky nighttime transformations. It’s full of strange, eerie tales that only come to life when the lights go out and we close our eyes. 🌒 If you love horror, this is a must-read. Highly recommend! 📚

#WhenTheLightsGoOut #KevinLucia #HorrorReads #SpookyStories #MustRead #BookRecommendations #NighttimeThrills #FantasyAndFear

[Horror DNA]

I've been on a Kevin Lucia kick as of late. I'd read a short story or two by him in the past, but it wasn't until I finished his near-400 page The Horror at Pleasant Brook did I go full throttle and started wanting more of his work. Because of this, I jumped on the chance to review When the Lights Go Out. I knew what Lucia was capable of in long format, but how does he handle the short stuff? I'm here to tell you: With ease.

You can read Steve's complete review at Horror DNA by clicking here.

[Steve]

I've been on a Kevin Lucia kick as of late. I'd read a short story or two by him in the past, but it wasn't until I finished his near-400 page The Horror at Pleasant Brook did I go full throttle and started wanting more of his work. Because of this, I jumped on the chance to review When the Lights Go Out. I knew what Lucia was capable of in long format, but how does he handle the short stuff? I'm here to tell you: With ease.

You can read my complete review at Horror DNA by clicking here.

[Sammi Dyer]

“When The Lights Go Out” is a collection where you will find different horror theme stories from Kevin Lucia. You can’t go wrong with this vast variety of terrifying frights he has include within this amazing collection. So “Click Buy It Now” and make sure you are ready for just about anything that can scary the living daylight out of you. Because that is exactly what Kevin Lucia has created with his stories.

[Mrs. Palmer]

A strangely unsatisfying collection of loosely related short stories. I read this because of its excellent review in Booklist but it did not measure up. I think it wanted to be something like American Elsewhere and that's why I initially picked it up but it really was not at all similar.
It was very male character heavy in an annoying way. In fact, the more I think about it, the less I like it and the lower I want to rate it, so I will just leave it at three stars.