What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bad Things We Did
Eight bad decisions. Eight terrifying stories.
In his debut collection, author Chris Archeske unleashes an octet of relentless horror—darkness summoned by the often-ordinary choices we make and the extraordinarily horrific consequences that follow.
An animal rescue influencer desperately stages his next video—with monstrous results.
A trio of criminals discovers their latest victim has an unlikely defender.
A self-seeking babysitter learns the real reason children should fear their bedroom closets.
These and more polarizing tales of monsters, madness, and murder await.
These stories are not for the faint of heart.
These are The Bad Things We Did.
In his debut collection, author Chris Archeske unleashes an octet of relentless horror—darkness summoned by the often-ordinary choices we make and the extraordinarily horrific consequences that follow.
An animal rescue influencer desperately stages his next video—with monstrous results.
A trio of criminals discovers their latest victim has an unlikely defender.
A self-seeking babysitter learns the real reason children should fear their bedroom closets.
These and more polarizing tales of monsters, madness, and murder await.
These stories are not for the faint of heart.
These are The Bad Things We Did.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
170 pages, Paperback
Published August 13, 2024
12 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Chris Archeske
2 books25 followersChris Archeske is the author of the horror collection The Bad Things We Did, which includes the Christmas-themed ghost story "The Candy Cane Man." He has lived all across the United States and beyond, from Southern towns in Alabama and Georgia to more far off localities including Hawaii and Germany. He grew up reading the Goosebumps series and still has his collection of the original sixty-two books. Aside from R.L. Stine, he enjoys and is inspired by the works of Richard Matheson, Stephen King, Eric LaRocca, Daphne du Maurier, John Saul, and Stephen Graham Jones. Today, you can find him in Iowa with his husband and their four cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 26, 2025
One of my favourite short horror story collections. I can’t believe this is a debut series—Chris should definitely write more of these.
The stories are not just terrifying and creepy; they also tug at the heart. Some characters truly deserve a happy ending. I can’t pick a favourite because I enjoyed every story.
For those who are looking for a short yet interesting read, this is a great place to start.
Really good!
The stories are not just terrifying and creepy; they also tug at the heart. Some characters truly deserve a happy ending. I can’t pick a favourite because I enjoyed every story.
For those who are looking for a short yet interesting read, this is a great place to start.
Really good!
August 13, 2024
Don't let the pretty cover fool you. This one has a great blend of creepy, uncomfortable, gory, and suspenseful tales to make the perfect short story collection. Not all stories are paced the same. Some are right in your face horrific, and others are more of a slow burn.In each of the eight stories, poor decisions are made, decisions that often have deadly consequences.
Chris starts off strong with his first story, "The Bad Things We Did," where two siblings take playtime a little too seriously. The gasp that I gasped when reading this one...my mama heart was simply shattered. Another tale that I particularly loved was 'Mercy at the end of her life'. This story wasn't scary necessarily, but it was a great quirky revenge tale that may have some supernatural flare to it. 'The Parachute' was another great one. It gave me these great feelings of nostalgia and then dashed those happy memories by making it into a creature feature. This isn't the only creature story in the book, though!
One of the things that I love is when an author let's us into their brain for a bit and gives us some insight into their inspiration. At the end of this collection, Chris provides those fascinating details. I don't know, but for me, it only aids my appreciation of the tales.
This is seriously a fantastic collection. And I urge readers to check it out for themselves. The blend of horror makes it fantastic for those new to the genre and long-time horror lovers.
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Chris starts off strong with his first story, "The Bad Things We Did," where two siblings take playtime a little too seriously. The gasp that I gasped when reading this one...my mama heart was simply shattered. Another tale that I particularly loved was 'Mercy at the end of her life'. This story wasn't scary necessarily, but it was a great quirky revenge tale that may have some supernatural flare to it. 'The Parachute' was another great one. It gave me these great feelings of nostalgia and then dashed those happy memories by making it into a creature feature. This isn't the only creature story in the book, though!
One of the things that I love is when an author let's us into their brain for a bit and gives us some insight into their inspiration. At the end of this collection, Chris provides those fascinating details. I don't know, but for me, it only aids my appreciation of the tales.
This is seriously a fantastic collection. And I urge readers to check it out for themselves. The blend of horror makes it fantastic for those new to the genre and long-time horror lovers.
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2024
I’m astonished that this is a debut collection of stories! Each one was so well rounded and thrilling, it felt like reading the prose of a well established author! Great work Chris, and I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for anything else you write.
The theme of the stories gathered here are the consequences of actions, misunderstandings, and misconstrued meanings. In each tale, a character’s decisions lead to frightening reactions. I loved them all, and picking a favourite is like deciding on a favourite child- impossible. I will highly recommend a couple however: “Parachute” & “The Thing That Wasn’t” were absolutely terrifying (and led to some bizarre & disturbing dreams).
I know I’m repeating myself here, but I’m still just awed at how wonderful of a read this book was! Definitely one to add to every reader’s shelf as there’s no bad story to be found here. It was an absolute treat to immerse myself within these thrilling tales.
The theme of the stories gathered here are the consequences of actions, misunderstandings, and misconstrued meanings. In each tale, a character’s decisions lead to frightening reactions. I loved them all, and picking a favourite is like deciding on a favourite child- impossible. I will highly recommend a couple however: “Parachute” & “The Thing That Wasn’t” were absolutely terrifying (and led to some bizarre & disturbing dreams).
I know I’m repeating myself here, but I’m still just awed at how wonderful of a read this book was! Definitely one to add to every reader’s shelf as there’s no bad story to be found here. It was an absolute treat to immerse myself within these thrilling tales.
September 29, 2024
I love a good horror anthology, especially this time of the year. And this one gave me the chills and some nightmare fuel along the way.
Starting out with a story which rings with guilt and despair as a man is haunted on the twentieth anniversary of an accidental but horrific incident when he was a child.
The final story in this collection is just spine tingling and will bring back all of your childhood nightmares!
And in-between these bookended tales are some seriously visceral frights about murderous ghosts, a merciless HOA chairman, and a social media influencer who's life is crashing down around him and the terrible way he's trying to get it back.
The characters in these stories really stand out for me because they're authentic and definitely not ready or equipped to deal with the horrifying things they're going to encounter. That always makes for a more tense frightening read for me.
I definitely recommend this anthology.
Starting out with a story which rings with guilt and despair as a man is haunted on the twentieth anniversary of an accidental but horrific incident when he was a child.
The final story in this collection is just spine tingling and will bring back all of your childhood nightmares!
And in-between these bookended tales are some seriously visceral frights about murderous ghosts, a merciless HOA chairman, and a social media influencer who's life is crashing down around him and the terrible way he's trying to get it back.
The characters in these stories really stand out for me because they're authentic and definitely not ready or equipped to deal with the horrifying things they're going to encounter. That always makes for a more tense frightening read for me.
I definitely recommend this anthology.
July 3, 2024
ARC REVIEW 😊. The writing was very well written. I enjoyed the dialogue of this book and how the plot played out. Suspenseful book and kept me on my toes wondering what was to happen next. I enjoyed this book. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book 📕
April 24, 2024
Eloquent, intentional, and quietly unnerving. Archeske delivers an extraordinary debut that is sure to burrow itself deep in the recesses of your mind.
August 22, 2024
Often when I read a collection of short stories, there are a few hits and a few misses. Although I certainly have my favorites from this collection (The Parachute specifically), I believe there is something here for everyone. Great debut!
June 26, 2024
This book of 8 short stories is excellent!! I enjoyed every one of them! The stories contain horror, thrills, and even some humorous parts! There is great variety within each story and the author did an amazing job with the writing of them all.
A few of my favorites were The Parachute, The Candy Cane Man, Monstrous & The Thing That wasn’t.
This book is a must read!!
Thank you to Chris Archeske for the arc e-copy of this amazing book!
A few of my favorites were The Parachute, The Candy Cane Man, Monstrous & The Thing That wasn’t.
This book is a must read!!
Thank you to Chris Archeske for the arc e-copy of this amazing book!
September 5, 2024
I am in love with all of these stories! Each are quite different and stick with you in a multitude of ways - some of those images are never leaving my brain now. It's truly hard to pick a favorite, but some of mine are Mercy at the End of Her Life, The Candy Cane Man, and The Knocker-Up. I can't wait to read what Chris Archeske publishes next!
June 8, 2025
Trigger Warnings:
Child death, disfigurement, severe burns, fire, death by train, suicide, psychological trauma, bodily horror, graphic violence, dark humor, grief, and a stubborn little thing called guilt that latches onto your brain like a drunken barnacle.
Chris Archeske’s The Bad Things We Did isn’t so much a “book” as it is a literary Molotov cocktail — tossed straight into your cozy reading nook, burning down any shred of emotional stability you thought you had left.
Let’s talk tone: This book is like someone handed Stephen King a six-pack of expired Four Loko and said, “Now make it sadder.” It’s eerie. It’s uncomfortable. It’s the literary equivalent of waking up at 3 AM with a hangover, realizing you texted your ex and accidentally cursed your family line for seven generations.
Archeske kicks things off with the title story, “The Bad Things We Did,” which is basically “What if that one dumb thing you did as a kid ruined literally everything forever?” Spoiler-free but emotionally devastating, it follows the most darkly comic chain of bad decisions since Eve decided that apple was looking kinda thicc. The guilt, the hallucinations, the slow descent into madness — it’s so rich you could serve it at a Michelin-starred existential crisis.
Characters? Honey, they’re messy. They’re raw. They’re real. It’s the kind of cast that makes you go, “Wow, at least I’m not that bad,” while quietly reconsidering all your life choices.
The “spice” level?
Not spicy in the “naughty-tickle-your-naughty-bits” sense, but if your kink is emotional devastation, this is your red room of pain. Congratulations, you’re officially a masochist.
The structure is a collection of interconnected horror shorts — a buffet of bad decisions and supernatural ass-whoopings where karma isn’t just a bitch; she’s a professional dominatrix, and you’re way behind on your safeword.
The writing itself? Crisp. Efficient. Occasionally poetic in a “stab you and then kiss the wound” sort of way. Archeske knows exactly when to whisper nightmares in your ear and when to scream them from under the bed.
Final Rating:
4.5 out of 5 charred childhood memories.
Would’ve been a 5 if it came with a free therapy voucher and maybe a hug. (But let’s be real, the hug would probably try to strangle you too.)
Summary Judgment:
If you like horror that’s sad, bitter, raw, sharp, and just a little too close to home, The Bad Things We Did will wreck you — and you’ll crawl back begging for more, like the emotionally-damaged goblin you are.
Buy it. Read it. Question your entire moral compass.
Child death, disfigurement, severe burns, fire, death by train, suicide, psychological trauma, bodily horror, graphic violence, dark humor, grief, and a stubborn little thing called guilt that latches onto your brain like a drunken barnacle.
Chris Archeske’s The Bad Things We Did isn’t so much a “book” as it is a literary Molotov cocktail — tossed straight into your cozy reading nook, burning down any shred of emotional stability you thought you had left.
Let’s talk tone: This book is like someone handed Stephen King a six-pack of expired Four Loko and said, “Now make it sadder.” It’s eerie. It’s uncomfortable. It’s the literary equivalent of waking up at 3 AM with a hangover, realizing you texted your ex and accidentally cursed your family line for seven generations.
Archeske kicks things off with the title story, “The Bad Things We Did,” which is basically “What if that one dumb thing you did as a kid ruined literally everything forever?” Spoiler-free but emotionally devastating, it follows the most darkly comic chain of bad decisions since Eve decided that apple was looking kinda thicc. The guilt, the hallucinations, the slow descent into madness — it’s so rich you could serve it at a Michelin-starred existential crisis.
Characters? Honey, they’re messy. They’re raw. They’re real. It’s the kind of cast that makes you go, “Wow, at least I’m not that bad,” while quietly reconsidering all your life choices.
The “spice” level?
Not spicy in the “naughty-tickle-your-naughty-bits” sense, but if your kink is emotional devastation, this is your red room of pain. Congratulations, you’re officially a masochist.
The structure is a collection of interconnected horror shorts — a buffet of bad decisions and supernatural ass-whoopings where karma isn’t just a bitch; she’s a professional dominatrix, and you’re way behind on your safeword.
The writing itself? Crisp. Efficient. Occasionally poetic in a “stab you and then kiss the wound” sort of way. Archeske knows exactly when to whisper nightmares in your ear and when to scream them from under the bed.
Final Rating:
4.5 out of 5 charred childhood memories.
Would’ve been a 5 if it came with a free therapy voucher and maybe a hug. (But let’s be real, the hug would probably try to strangle you too.)
Summary Judgment:
If you like horror that’s sad, bitter, raw, sharp, and just a little too close to home, The Bad Things We Did will wreck you — and you’ll crawl back begging for more, like the emotionally-damaged goblin you are.
Buy it. Read it. Question your entire moral compass.
August 25, 2024
This is my first time reading any of Chris's work, and I can say with absolute certainty that it will not be my last!
The Bad Things We Did is a collection of stories that show, simply put, people behaving badly. From an animal rescue influencer attempting to stage a dog rescue to a power-hungry HOA president with a vendetta against a resident to middle school kids breaking into an abandoned elementary school and playing with the forgotten parachute that they found, and more....this book has a little bit of everything.
Every story in this collection is so good! Honestly, I don't know that I can pick a favourite because I loved them all. If push came to shove, I suppose I'd pick The Candy Cane Man simply for the fact that I despised Lee and was glad to see him get what he had coming to him. He was so insensitive and a complete jackwagon to Paul; he deserved every second of what happened.
My runner-up would have to be the opening story, The Bad Things We Did. I read a fanfiction awhile back centered around the concept of malicious compliance (following instructions exactly as they are said, even if the consequence of the action will be unintended or negative) and this story reminded me of that, though in a much more naive and innocent way. It's uniquely horrifying to think what could happen if a child (or anyone really) took everything literally and wasn't corrected, and it's something I've never thought about much until now.
I'm reading this collection in the lead up to voting for the Short Smack participants, and this one is a serious contender for me. Everyone else should be worried because Chris is putting them all on notice!
And can we talk about this absolutely gorgeous cover?????
The Bad Things We Did is a collection of stories that show, simply put, people behaving badly. From an animal rescue influencer attempting to stage a dog rescue to a power-hungry HOA president with a vendetta against a resident to middle school kids breaking into an abandoned elementary school and playing with the forgotten parachute that they found, and more....this book has a little bit of everything.
Every story in this collection is so good! Honestly, I don't know that I can pick a favourite because I loved them all. If push came to shove, I suppose I'd pick The Candy Cane Man simply for the fact that I despised Lee and was glad to see him get what he had coming to him. He was so insensitive and a complete jackwagon to Paul; he deserved every second of what happened.
My runner-up would have to be the opening story, The Bad Things We Did. I read a fanfiction awhile back centered around the concept of malicious compliance (following instructions exactly as they are said, even if the consequence of the action will be unintended or negative) and this story reminded me of that, though in a much more naive and innocent way. It's uniquely horrifying to think what could happen if a child (or anyone really) took everything literally and wasn't corrected, and it's something I've never thought about much until now.
I'm reading this collection in the lead up to voting for the Short Smack participants, and this one is a serious contender for me. Everyone else should be worried because Chris is putting them all on notice!
And can we talk about this absolutely gorgeous cover?????
August 10, 2024
Easily a 5-star book! - and, as others keep pointing out, it's really hard to believe this is a debut short story collection! It's brimming with talent and originality: the writing is top-notch, the premises always intriguing, and the execution extremely well-done. In fact, the collection is flawless, from the beautiful cover and the superb editing to the author's obvious passion for genuinely creepy horror and truly terrific writing.
I ended up loving all the stories, and was sad they were only eight and not many more. Strangely, I appreciated most the oldest story, "The Thing That Wasn’t", first published in 2009: the idea of an adult challenging a child to spend five minutes in a dark closet was pure genius and made for an incredibly good horror tale! Equally clever was "Mind the Gap", a ghost-slash-revenge story taking its inspiration from the real story of a widow visiting the same subway station everyday for 20 years to hear her late husband's voice. A truly chilling story was "The Parachute", a tale one might find in any good horror anthology of the '80s and the '90s: kids break into an abandoned school and find a colored parachute; they start playing with it without realizing what they've got in their hands. The ending was very, very cruel! Finally, another story I recommend (among these gems) is "Monstrous": failing influencer devises a plot to get back on the good side of his followers; he's in for a BIG surprise! And I do mean big.
In sum, I enjoyed the collection immensely! It sure deserves wide recognition both for the brilliant writing and the originality of its concepts.
I ended up loving all the stories, and was sad they were only eight and not many more. Strangely, I appreciated most the oldest story, "The Thing That Wasn’t", first published in 2009: the idea of an adult challenging a child to spend five minutes in a dark closet was pure genius and made for an incredibly good horror tale! Equally clever was "Mind the Gap", a ghost-slash-revenge story taking its inspiration from the real story of a widow visiting the same subway station everyday for 20 years to hear her late husband's voice. A truly chilling story was "The Parachute", a tale one might find in any good horror anthology of the '80s and the '90s: kids break into an abandoned school and find a colored parachute; they start playing with it without realizing what they've got in their hands. The ending was very, very cruel! Finally, another story I recommend (among these gems) is "Monstrous": failing influencer devises a plot to get back on the good side of his followers; he's in for a BIG surprise! And I do mean big.
In sum, I enjoyed the collection immensely! It sure deserves wide recognition both for the brilliant writing and the originality of its concepts.
June 25, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Bad Things We Did by Chris Archeske and this was an amazing collection of short stories.
Two of these stories really stood out to me:
First, the namesake of the collection The Bad Things We Did, really brought back memories of childhood and how, as kids, we would take things that parents or grownups say literally. In this case, the two kids took the dad being fired quite literally, which ended disastrously. Underneath the naivety of childhood was also a kind of revenge story that kept me up a little the night I read it.
The second story I extremely enjoyed was The Thing That Wasn't. Every kid has had a fear of the dark, a fear of what could be under their bed or in their closet. I didn't even see the ending coming for some reason and loved it! I also liked how Chris related this to his childhood and of "Coming out of the closet" and it really brought this story into more light for me.
This book will be available August 13th and I highly recommend everyone read this book!
Two of these stories really stood out to me:
First, the namesake of the collection The Bad Things We Did, really brought back memories of childhood and how, as kids, we would take things that parents or grownups say literally. In this case, the two kids took the dad being fired quite literally, which ended disastrously. Underneath the naivety of childhood was also a kind of revenge story that kept me up a little the night I read it.
The second story I extremely enjoyed was The Thing That Wasn't. Every kid has had a fear of the dark, a fear of what could be under their bed or in their closet. I didn't even see the ending coming for some reason and loved it! I also liked how Chris related this to his childhood and of "Coming out of the closet" and it really brought this story into more light for me.
This book will be available August 13th and I highly recommend everyone read this book!
June 23, 2024
This collection of horror shorts is amazing. It’s terrifying, disturbing, and graphic. Each story is so different, they really pull you in. Not sure why I finished reading this before I went to sleep, but I did and it freaked me out. I recommend so much if you love all things spooky and horrifying! ♡
Some of my favorites were…
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕒𝕕 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕎𝕖 𝔻𝕚𝕕
I mean talk about disturbing, the descriptions are..haunting.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℙ𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕙𝕦𝕥𝕖
My favorite thing to do in gym class, now turned into nightmares.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕂𝕟𝕠𝕔𝕜𝕖𝕣-𝕦𝕡
If this was a movie, I’d be hiding.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕎𝕒𝕤𝕟’𝕥
Literally my favorite story from this book, mainly because it scared me so much.
Some of my favorites were…
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕒𝕕 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕎𝕖 𝔻𝕚𝕕
I mean talk about disturbing, the descriptions are..haunting.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℙ𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕙𝕦𝕥𝕖
My favorite thing to do in gym class, now turned into nightmares.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕂𝕟𝕠𝕔𝕜𝕖𝕣-𝕦𝕡
If this was a movie, I’d be hiding.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕎𝕒𝕤𝕟’𝕥
Literally my favorite story from this book, mainly because it scared me so much.
July 29, 2024
This is some of the best writing I have seen in a while. These eight stories sucked me in. I didn't expect to be blown away after each one, but boy, was I wrong. The writing style spoke to my soul, and the content made my skin crawl. The work felt very original and relatable, all with some sort of lesson to be learned.
I made the mistake of finishing this book before bed, and I was absolutely spooked.
A total 5 ☆ read for me, and I can't wait to put this collection on my bookshelf!
Do yourself a favor, and read The Bad Things We Did. It definitely won't be a bad thing!
I made the mistake of finishing this book before bed, and I was absolutely spooked.
A total 5 ☆ read for me, and I can't wait to put this collection on my bookshelf!
Do yourself a favor, and read The Bad Things We Did. It definitely won't be a bad thing!
August 14, 2024
This collection of scary stories transported me back to the days when I would check out “scary stories to tell in the dark” from my school library! As many have pointed out it really is crazy that this is a debut collection. All of these short stories were thrilling, cringy, gripping, and definitely unsettling I loved every one; they were original, very well written and well rounded!! My favorite thing about his writing is how he takes seemingly innocent or mundane events and adds these macabre elements it’s simply *chefs kiss* some of them are truly your worst nightmare. I look forward to seeing more spooky work from Archeske!
September 10, 2024
A wonderful debut collection of horror stories! I have been a fan of the author's previous middle grade horror work, and I knew I had to have this collection! There is such a variety in these stories, their themes, and how dark they can get... but one thing certainly connects them: the strength of writing and the passion for horror underneath! I can't recommend this collection enough!
December 20, 2025
This gathering of eight terrifying stories constitutes an excellent primer on Chris Archeske's work. Each story in this collection captivated me. This book unleashes unremitting horror stemming from the ordinary choices we make and the horrific outcomes that transpire.
June 28, 2024
I'm newer to short stories, but this collection was a rollercoaster. Each story was uniquely its own, and the intensity throughout every single one was built up perfectly. I couldn't even pick a favorite, as something from each has been seared into my brain, but the book definitely starts off STRONG with The Bad Things We Did. I'm not even ashamed to admit that I had to take a break once I finished it. I have also been reflecting back on The Candy Cane Man often, and definitely wouldn't be upset if Chris were to release a full novel about him (hint hint 😉). I also just want to finish this up by saying thank you! I was super excited about this ARC read and it's honestly been one of my favorites so far.
September 9, 2024
Clever, creepy, entertaining, relatable, spooky, bloody, gruesome. All the things I look for in a good horror story. Well written and gripping. Kept me turning pages and holding my breath.
June 27, 2024
This was an amazing debut short story collection. I was going to go through and give my thoughts on what my favorite story was, but I truly loved them all. They were all unique and most were creepy. One of the stories even made me cheer with delight because of something that happened. Chris is a definite author to watch. The sky is the limit in my opinion!
December 14, 2025
Dark, gruesome, and totally addictive—this debut is a must-read for horror fans who like their chills ruthless and their twists unforgettable!
August 15, 2024
Honestly this is the best book I’ve ever read. Please read this!!!
July 2, 2024
This collection of stories is fantastic! It was so well written, relatable, and creepy. A perfect read for horror fans!
It reminded me of Trick 'R Treat....
Chris Archeske paints a world so vivid, as if someone pulled it from our nightmares. Horror fans know the feeling of intensity when a loud noise or eerie vision takes over our minds, rent-free. While "jump scares" didn't happen for me, I was left unsettled (in that good horror way) and freaked out.
The Bad Things We Did (the story from the title) was the first in the book. This one was one of my favorites and the reason I couldn't put the book down. I was pulled in by the author's writing style and the ease in which it read. Such a fast-paced tale that sits with you, making you feel as if you are a kid again experiencing innocence and guilt; taking that trauma with you into adulthood. If you take things literally, this one will give you goosebumps.
Mind the Gap made my skin crawl with the similar effect I get from movies like "Paranormal Activity," "Hell House LLC," and "Amityville Horror." I felt like this supernatural story should have lasted longer and could possibly take a book of its own. If you are familiar with subways or automated spiels around transportation, then this one may give you nightmares.
The Parachute was my favorite story in this collection! I remember loving this toy when I was a kid, and as a teacher now, I love showing my students activities I knew. After reading this, I will never see a rainbow parachute the same again.
The Candy Cane Man was written like a true horror classic. It reminded me of Tales from the Crypt, with the Cryptkeeper laughing at the maniacal torture of human beings. I applaud the author and thank him so much for the representation of a gay couple and displaying the reality of a relationship, ANY relationship. This story includes disturbing justice and intentional unsettling feelings.
Monstrous is for anyone who has ever thrived off the opinion of others and/or enjoy being in the spotlight. We are guilty of confidence that exceeds normal, especially in the age of TikTok. This story pulls at those emotions while showing what it means to prioritize the opinions of others over our own lives and the dangers it brings. It's a thoughtful story that sits with you and makes you question your place.
The Knocker-Up was just plain creepy. I felt as if I was 10 again, reading a Goosebumps book. I loved the imagery in this story and how the author incorporated the bond of a mother and her child. It's definitely a food jolt for the horror fan.
Mercy at the End of Her Life was another favorite of mine, and wow, did it infuriate me. If you have ever experienced an HOA, you will understand. I won't say any more about this one except, I loved it! Expertly written and easy to empathize with the characters.
The Thing That Wasn't is the story you crave. Edge of your seat, unpredictable, and entertaining. This one will stick with you, whether you want it to or not. The author tugged at childhood memories and reminded us that we still fear the closet.
Overall, the book was the best I have read in a while. It took me out of a reading slump and made me read it in under 2 hours! I was hooked, I was committed, and I was so happy I was. If I am being completely honest, I chose this and finished it before reading titles from those "other" horror authors.
I loved this so much.
Thank you to Chris for allowing me to read an ARC of this book before its release. When it comes out, read it. You won't regret it!
It reminded me of Trick 'R Treat....
Chris Archeske paints a world so vivid, as if someone pulled it from our nightmares. Horror fans know the feeling of intensity when a loud noise or eerie vision takes over our minds, rent-free. While "jump scares" didn't happen for me, I was left unsettled (in that good horror way) and freaked out.
The Bad Things We Did (the story from the title) was the first in the book. This one was one of my favorites and the reason I couldn't put the book down. I was pulled in by the author's writing style and the ease in which it read. Such a fast-paced tale that sits with you, making you feel as if you are a kid again experiencing innocence and guilt; taking that trauma with you into adulthood. If you take things literally, this one will give you goosebumps.
Mind the Gap made my skin crawl with the similar effect I get from movies like "Paranormal Activity," "Hell House LLC," and "Amityville Horror." I felt like this supernatural story should have lasted longer and could possibly take a book of its own. If you are familiar with subways or automated spiels around transportation, then this one may give you nightmares.
The Parachute was my favorite story in this collection! I remember loving this toy when I was a kid, and as a teacher now, I love showing my students activities I knew. After reading this, I will never see a rainbow parachute the same again.
The Candy Cane Man was written like a true horror classic. It reminded me of Tales from the Crypt, with the Cryptkeeper laughing at the maniacal torture of human beings. I applaud the author and thank him so much for the representation of a gay couple and displaying the reality of a relationship, ANY relationship. This story includes disturbing justice and intentional unsettling feelings.
Monstrous is for anyone who has ever thrived off the opinion of others and/or enjoy being in the spotlight. We are guilty of confidence that exceeds normal, especially in the age of TikTok. This story pulls at those emotions while showing what it means to prioritize the opinions of others over our own lives and the dangers it brings. It's a thoughtful story that sits with you and makes you question your place.
The Knocker-Up was just plain creepy. I felt as if I was 10 again, reading a Goosebumps book. I loved the imagery in this story and how the author incorporated the bond of a mother and her child. It's definitely a food jolt for the horror fan.
Mercy at the End of Her Life was another favorite of mine, and wow, did it infuriate me. If you have ever experienced an HOA, you will understand. I won't say any more about this one except, I loved it! Expertly written and easy to empathize with the characters.
The Thing That Wasn't is the story you crave. Edge of your seat, unpredictable, and entertaining. This one will stick with you, whether you want it to or not. The author tugged at childhood memories and reminded us that we still fear the closet.
Overall, the book was the best I have read in a while. It took me out of a reading slump and made me read it in under 2 hours! I was hooked, I was committed, and I was so happy I was. If I am being completely honest, I chose this and finished it before reading titles from those "other" horror authors.
I loved this so much.
Thank you to Chris for allowing me to read an ARC of this book before its release. When it comes out, read it. You won't regret it!
June 24, 2024
Ever since i could read I devoured anything horror. I read and reread every single horror book the youth library had to offer. Especially loving horror short stories collections. As I grew up the horror I read aged with me so I have read most any major horror book in existence and any other horror anthology I could get my hands on.
And this book…… this was one of the best I’ve ever read!
I loved everything about it. It’s diverse, it’s haunting, disturbing, interesting and addicting.
The variety of stories is amazing, from classic monster-in-the-closet horror, to the horror humans inflict, from paranormal to mythological. Every story unique and compelling and haunting in its own way.
All te stories had the perfect length and ending, leaving g enough mystery to think about the ending long after, but also answering just enough to complete the tale.
Every story in here was a 5 star read , and I was actually sad when I finished it. I’m hoping for much more horror from this author, I’m hooked! (Or should I say candy caned 🫢)
Chapeau to Chris archeske for this amazing bundle of disturbing tales!
Thank you for letting me be part of this arc team!
And this book…… this was one of the best I’ve ever read!
I loved everything about it. It’s diverse, it’s haunting, disturbing, interesting and addicting.
The variety of stories is amazing, from classic monster-in-the-closet horror, to the horror humans inflict, from paranormal to mythological. Every story unique and compelling and haunting in its own way.
All te stories had the perfect length and ending, leaving g enough mystery to think about the ending long after, but also answering just enough to complete the tale.
Every story in here was a 5 star read , and I was actually sad when I finished it. I’m hoping for much more horror from this author, I’m hooked! (Or should I say candy caned 🫢)
Chapeau to Chris archeske for this amazing bundle of disturbing tales!
Thank you for letting me be part of this arc team!
October 13, 2024
The Bad Things We Did by Chris Archeske is a short story collection including 10 stories that all bring you 10 different things. From my favorite Candy Cane, A story that had me rooting for the monster, Monstrous in influencer sees his second shot at fame only it is disguising his demise, Mercy At The End Of Her Life A woman slowly realizes the real man that she married and doesn’t like it to my other favorite The last story The Thing That Wasn’t A baby sitter comes up with a great test to prove the children’s bravery only to fail the test her self in a big way. There’s six other stories and all just as good I really enjoyed the short stories it was surprised the author didn’t have other books of horror fiction but I will still be looking out for new things by the author he really is a great talent because if this is his debut collection I cannot wait to see what else he comes up with next. I want to reiterate and say I am not over stating his talent like a lot other reviewers like to do. When I say Chris Archeske is talented… Believe me. You can get this book and read for yourself I got it from kindle unlimited and I’m so glad I did I loved it the stories are awesome!
September 1, 2024
Author Chris Archeske’s debut short story collection THE BAD THINGS WE DID features a so-called “octet” of ghoulish and portentous tales, seamlessly crafted and curated. Full of dark imagination, these stories really “go there,” leading down harrowing and gruesome paths as its characters make life-altering decisions they come to grievously regret. Every single story is satisfying, but my personal favorites include the fiery, grim opening title story; “The Parachute,” which turns the huge rainbow-colored parachute we all remember from our elementary school gym classes into a harbinger of doom; and the scariest story in the book, “The Knocker-Up,” a nightmare-inducing morsel about a young boy awakened each night at 4am by a tap-tap-tapping outside his bedroom window. In short, this story is a frightening and ingenious humdinger. With THE BAD THINGS WE DID, Archeske reveals himself to be a formidable talent and an exciting new voice in the world of modern horror literature.
June 29, 2024
Scary Stories to Tell in The Dark, but make it for adults! That is the whole vibe of this book. I admit I am new to short story collections, out of my own avoidance, The Bad Things We Did has completely changed that for me. This collection was fantastic, I was enthralled in every single story throughout this book. Once I picked it up I could not put it back down, thankfully I started it on a weekend. Every story gave me the creeps, an uncomfortable feeling and the heebie-jeebies. I have no doubt Chris Archeske will go far, and I cannot wait to follow this journey. I will absolutely be reading more from this author.
Also do yourself a favor and make sure you read the afterward!
Thank you for the opportunity to receive an ARC e-copy!
Also do yourself a favor and make sure you read the afterward!
Thank you for the opportunity to receive an ARC e-copy!
August 14, 2024
Oh my gosh, this short story collection debut by Chris Archeske was awesome 😀 Every single story in here was so thrilling and creepy you'll definitely read it one sitting. I was hooked from the first story, The Bad Things We Did If you are looking for a great collection of stories to creep you out and make you remember to always do good things lol then this is the book for you
My favorite stories were all of them, lol 😆
The Bad Things We Did
Mind the Gap
The Parachute
The Candy Cane Man
Monstrous
The Knocker - Up
Mercy at the End of Her Life
The Thing The Wasn't
This amazing collection was released yesterday, so go and grab yourself a copy. You won't regret it. 😉 I can't wait to read more from this author 😃
My favorite stories were all of them, lol 😆
The Bad Things We Did
Mind the Gap
The Parachute
The Candy Cane Man
Monstrous
The Knocker - Up
Mercy at the End of Her Life
The Thing The Wasn't
This amazing collection was released yesterday, so go and grab yourself a copy. You won't regret it. 😉 I can't wait to read more from this author 😃
August 18, 2024
Okay, listen, I've been an emotional wreck for the past week. That might be important, it might not, you be the judge. BUT...I've been reading The Bad Things We Did by Chris Archeske and as I was ugly crying at 10pm on a random Saturday because of "Mercy at the End of Her Life" I was feeling personally attacked. (Not really, but still.....)
I finished this little gem up tonight and I recommend it greatly. From the horrific whimsy of "The Parachute", the unexpected turn that "Monstrous" took, and the "why do you hate me" tears that "Mercy at the End of Her Life" snatched out of me, I have to say that this is one of (if not the best of) collections I've read this year. (And I've read about 21 different collections and anthologies this year)
I finished this little gem up tonight and I recommend it greatly. From the horrific whimsy of "The Parachute", the unexpected turn that "Monstrous" took, and the "why do you hate me" tears that "Mercy at the End of Her Life" snatched out of me, I have to say that this is one of (if not the best of) collections I've read this year. (And I've read about 21 different collections and anthologies this year)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews