Friction: Dark Tales of Suspense

by Paul Michael Kane

In these darkly suspenseful short stories, classic dread and modern menace mingle in candlelit corners: an unsettling ode to Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado, where pride and vengeance still echo behind steel and bone; a bartender forced to craft the perfect martini for the Devil himself, knowing one wrong twist of citrus could cost more than a bad review; and a seemingly devoted wife whose love turns methodical as she plans the final, irreversible solution to her marriage.

Wicked, witty, and quietly brutal, these tales invite you to step closer, listen carefully, and discover what awaits on the other side of “just one more page.”

Paperback

Published February 14, 2026

About the author

Paul Michael Kane combines his extensive background in visual communication with traditional and alternative photographic processes utilizing the latest advances in digital media. Exhibited internationally, his works have been purchased for numerous private and public collections. He’s won several “best-in-show” awards and continues to explore new technologies as the field of digital photography expands.

Published widely as a photographer, designer and a writer, Kane’s award winning photographic work has received 5-star ratings by Popular Photography’s blog site.

Reviews

[Michael Esley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bold new voice in the horror genre. I find short stories are a great introduction to an author's style and voice. Paul Michael Kane doesn't disappoint in either category. He has crafted 9 tales of the macabre and strange sure to linger in the mind long after the book hits the nightstand. Looking forward to more from this author. Perhaps a novel??

[Alice Walworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all the stories in this book. Couldn’t put it down and finished in just a few hours.

[John Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Paul Michael Kane is already well-known for his amazing photography, but his debut book, Friction, proves he is just as talented with a pen as he is with a camera. This collection of nine suspenseful stories shows he really knows how to "paint" a scene with words, creating detailed worlds that pull you in right away.

​What makes Friction so good is the variety. Kane doesn’t just stick to one style; he covers everything from a sci-fi revenge story to an occult murder mystery. One of the best parts is a character who feels like a mix of The Walking Dead’s Rick Grimes and The Godfather’s Vito Corleone, it’s a perfect example of how he creates gritty, interesting characters.

This is a great debut, I’m already looking forward to seeing what he writes next.

[Lilith · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the stories in this book are so good that I wish they were full on novels. My favorite was Follow, Share, Summon. This was a great take on social media. I'm proud to have this book in my collection and would love to read more.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic group of short stories. Some of them are extremely unsettling in the best way. The Stephen King easter eggs are a nice touch...subtle enough that the average reader may not even notice.

A few of the stories stand out to me as a step above. Cask is a sci-fi retelling of Poe's Cask of Amantillado, and is chilling. The Devil's Martini is a study into what perfection is, and how we can become lax. The last three stories were my favorites...The Hollow Choir...Follow, Share, Summon...and 19 Ways to Murder Your Husband. Those three stand out as literally jaw-dropping. Subtle twists of the knife hit you like a gut punch. What you think is happening is not at all what is actually happening.

A couple of the other stories felt like they were missing something. Not that they weren't written well, because all of them are fantastically written. For me, it felt like right when they were getting to the good part, tbey ended. I wanted more. I wanted to see how the situation played out, but it didn't quite get there.

All in all, this is an absolutely fantastic group of short stories. I look forward to reading more!

[Cyndi McIntire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul is a talented photographer, graphic designer, bookbinder, case maker and a champion of indi authors. So of course he would write as well.

Fantastic read!

Some are:

Cask is a nod to Edgar Allen Poe The Cask of Amontillado

Rest Assured..the dead rise, the mob creates a business to keep them dead. St Lazarus Security & Burial.

The Devil's Martini - a deal with the devil all you have to do is craft the perfect martini

Follow, Share, Summon - a dark look at social media

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these stories!! They were all so different. Rest Assured made me smile the entire time, guess my brain works differently. Guaranteed to find something that becomes your favorite. The final story got me. I can say something great about each story. I wish I was as talented with words as Paul so I could l leave the review this book deserves.

[Roy Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic stories. Hard to believe this is his first book - he writes like he has done it all his life. The stories kept my attention, were well written and were new and unique. Often times new writers play off stories they have read, but this author gave some very spooky tales. I actually did not want the book to end! I highly recommend it!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Michael Kane has a cinematic way of telling his stories. It is easy to imagine each story as a short film. Get on this Netflix!! The Tent City, The Devil’s Martini and Follow, Share, Summon and highlights for sure. Find a copy and read this!

[LeeAnn Lowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strong new voice is breaking onto the horror scene and Paul knows horror! The short stories are creative, engaging and well written. The book only had one down fall, it needed more stories!!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these stories!!

[Hans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friction is not only showing the great talent of Paul Michael Kane, but also show the love he has for the grand masters of horror like Poe and Lovecraft. These stories are wonderful on its own and wonderful homages to horror icons. Ideal for a summer read. Highly recommended. Personal Favourites of mine are Rest Assured, The Forgiven and The Devil`s Martini.

[Christine Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pulled in the minute I started reading. Paul Michael Kane is a fantastic photographer, but his stories will have you taking mental pictures so clearly. The descriptions of each scene make for fascinating reading, as each scenario is so clearly written that I couldn't put it down. Even the dialog between characters and their descriptions were distinct and lucid. My favorite tale was "Cask" set in the Space Station Lenore, eliciting Poe's "Cask of Amontillado", masterfully done! I also loved "19 Ways to Murder Your Husband" - I personally related to it because I use a CPAP machine nightly!!
I highly recommend this book of 9 short horror stories for all fans of this genre. The writing is exquisite and the stories so original and creative. Enjoy!

[Mike Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of both horror and short stories, and this is one of the best collections I have ever read.
It's hard to make a reader care about the characters when a story is short, but Paul Michael Kane does it with apparent ease.
He draws you into the worlds he has created, he plants you firmly into the middle of his tales, and when he lets you back out you are changed...in the best way possible.
Do yourself a favor and get this book. You'll be glad you did

[Dennis Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Congratulations to Paul Michael Kane on writing an excellent book of short stories. I very much enjoyed reading them and was pleasantly impressed by Paul’s imagination and creativity with the genre.

If you are looking for a book that can tickle your nerves for a while, by all means check it out!

[Montez Oudenaarden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Add gifted horror writer to Paul Michael Kane’s extensive list of talents. He has firmly pushed his way into the genre with the compelling short story collection, Friction. The stories are well crafted, and often unsettling, leaving me no choice but to read with the lights on. While I survived the evening unscathed, I was left longing for more.

[Kathy Wisecup DaSilva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great collection of stories each one better than the next. Paul really came up with some unique ideas and being an avid horror reader, I thought I’d seen them all. I enjoyed his descriptions and many of his similes were so clever they stuck with me long after the story ended. I’m looking forward to more!

[Jawanna Simm · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful collection of short stories!
Paul knows how to pull the reader in and activate all of the senses. It feels like you are in the room, watching and waiting for whatever may be next.
I cant wait to read more from this author.

[Dianna H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a one of the kind short story quick read.. if you can't put the book down. Nine vastly different stories to capture your imagination and they will leave you wanting more, one more story please.

[Barbara Wintemberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book with some great stories, wonderful weekend read. I particularly liked In Tent City, 19 Ways to Murder your Husband, and The Forgiven. I’m really looking forward to reading more from Paul Michael Kane!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fantastic book filled with amazing short stories. The Poe and King references are fantastic! I highly recommend to any lover of horror.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent stories! Loved all of the short stories but my favorites were, Cask, In the Tent City, and The Devil’s Martini. Those stories really grabbed me and left me thinking.

[Diane Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best short story books I've read! These stories keep you wanting more! :)

[Tammy Hostottle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep me intrigued all the way through ! I loved all the the stores , really made me emotional a must read

[Keejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I love short stories and these did not disappoint!!! Paul has a way with words that gets you so absorbed into the stories! I will be reading this again soon 👏

[Heidi McCartney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic collection of short stories! Started and couldn't put this one down.

[France · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with variety of stories, can’t wait for more.

[Michele Hance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Every time I had to stop reading, I couldn’t wait to get back to it. The Forgiven was my favorite. Looking forward to Paul’s next book. This book is a must read!

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book with short stories that only have one problem, they leave you wanting more. Paul Michael Kane is a talented writer and it shows with every dark, twisted tale.

[Linsey Hembree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every second!!