The Skin We Feel Most Comfortable In: A Collection of Stories

by Craig Wallwork

From a boy raised by a mother with the power to light up the sky, to stories of sea monsters, ghosts, Greek mythology, aliens, Elvis, suicide pandemics, and a girl born without a head, Wallwork holds your hand through each line on the page, guiding you out of the dark and back into the light.

Genres: Horror

201 pages, Paperback

Published June 27, 2025

About the author

Craig Wallwork was born in Manchester, England. He is the three times Pushcart Prize nominated writer of over 50 short stories, and the author of the books The Sound of Loneliness, Bad People (Tom Nolan Book 1), Labyrinth of the Dolls (Tom Nolan Book 2), The Ghost of Stormer Hill (Tom Nolan Book 3), The Skin We Feel Most Comfortable In, Human Tenderloin, Quintessence of Dust, and Gory Hole. He lives in West Yorkshire, England.

Reviews

[Catherine McCarthy]

From the Gothic to the grotesque, this collection taps into the psyche with a hammer and chisel, leaving the reader raw from the flailing. There's heart here too though, heart and dark humour.
I really enjoyed it!

[Wayne Fenlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic collection. Craig has such an original voice. You never know where the stories are headed. Compelling work.
Can't recommend him enough.

[Ross Jeffery · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Skin We Feel Most Comfortable In’ showcases a writer at the very peak of their undeniable talent, who weaves story after story of inescapable and insidious horror. Wallwork has the uncanny ability to write stories that not only leave you horrified, moved and forever changed, but ultimately render you awed at his gift as a raconteur. This collection further cements Wallwork as one of the best short story writers of our times, a national treasure and a true master of the genre.

- Ross Jeffery, Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of Metamorphosis and The Devil’s Pocketbook

[Mother Suspiria]

THE SKIN WE FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE IN is filled with fantastic frights, fables, and fascinations; Craig Wallwork's talent ensures that it applies to both sides of this collection, the dark and the light. That deftness is impressive- even more so with the amount of heart also contained within.

[Beverley Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Craig Wallwork's latest short story collection, The Skin We Feel Most Comfortable In, highlights an author truly at the top of his game. It's a veritable banquet of horrors, all told in his own inimitable style, as he wields a pen like a scalpel, opening a vein with his words, rendering you speechless with his talent. A truly unique compilation for your library shelves.

- Beverley Lee, author of The Sum of Your Flesh.

[Jay Slayton-Joslin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished it today and really loved it. Of course, I knew from the previous collections and the Tom Nolan series that Wallwork could write horror well and the flashes of everything else I'd seen, too. That being said, it was really wonderful to see the latter half being more of hope and love.

The split worked really well, I think. The whole collection was beautifully written and satisfying. Not relying singularly on linguistic ability, storytelling, emotions or creativity, but he pulled it together in a way not many people can.

[Life in books Ric · Rating 5 out of 5]

ⓇⒺⓋⒾⒺⓌ

The Skin We Feel Most Comfortable In - Craig Wallwork

You simply cannot sleep on Craig Wallwork.
Since reading ‘Bad People’ back in 2020 I’ve been championing Craig’s work…but I’m not sure you’ve been listening?!
So clean out your ears, and open your eyes because The Skin WE Feel Most Comfortable In is another sublime piece of work.

I understand that short story collections aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I urge you to give Craig’s latest a whirl, with stories ranging from the supernatural to sea monsters - Aliens to Greek mythology!
The Skin We Feel Most Comfortable In is a unique compilation of dark, brutal, gross and humorous stories that I devoured.

My favourites being:

A Terrifying Silence
Misery Guts
The Weight Of Vinegar
Havelocks Cuckoo
The Skin We Feel Most Comfortable In


Thank you Craig and Underbelly Books for sending me The Skin We Feel Most Comfortable In my way.

Available 27th June 2025

[Mark Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection is dark.

Having loved Craig’s earlier collection, Human Tenderloin, this one was a must read and I was not disappointed.

Of the 13 collected tales, there is plenty of variety and evidence that Craig gets more confident with his voice.

We have tales of murders getting their comeuppance; two terrifying pandemics; a plane crash; revenge; bringing back the dead; cloning; ghost stories and grief. And everyone is told with heart up close and personal. His unflinching ability to tackle issues other writers may shy away from and make you care left me in awe.

My favourites included A Terrifying Silence (honestly terrifying), The Many Ghosts of the Deep (lingering), and The Visitor (the twist was expertly done).

[Lester Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Great collection of shorts. The book is split into two halves. The first is horror based, ranging from stories about ghosts to a hilarious tale of revenge that involves leeches. The second half are labelled “light” and less horror based. Of the 13 stories my favs were The Visitor about a seance. Havelocks Cuckoo about a mother trying to bring back her dead daughter. The Fall of Achilles, a father and son story that is just amazing. And the titular story which blew me away for its trans themes. To be honest, every story deserves to be read and savoured, while showcasing an author who has both skill and range.

[Jen Self · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a collection! There is truly a something for everyone - from the strange and horrific to fantastical and even humorous, these stories pack a punch! My favorites are "A Terrifying Silence" & "Misery Guts." I would absolutely love to see A Terrifying Silence as a full length novel! I look forward to reading more from this author as well!