You are the Thing that Scares in the Woods: A Horror Collection

by Desiree Horton, Chisto Healy (Editor)

You are the Thing that Scares in the Woods.

A mistreated woman goes through a horrifying and wonderful transformation.

A tender-hearted girl's first time living on her own goes awry when she rescues an injured animal.

A late shift at a grocery store turns sour when someone takes politeness for an invitation.

A collection of horror stories of all varieties of blighted creatures to be feared and revered.
A collection that will scare you, seep into your bones, and sink its feral teeth into you.

Includes exclusive tales found nowhere else, some previously published and out of print, as well as popular titles like "The Station Master" and "Wicked Hands."

Genres: Horror

161 pages, Paperback

Published February 23, 2026

About the author

Desiree Horton is a horror writer and enthusiast. She can be found at home in the PNW with her two dogs, two kids, and one husband. Her work can be found in other horror anthologies, and on the edges of papers she will lose almost immediately. More information on her works can be found at authordesireehorton.my.canva.site or on Amazon. Instagram and tiktok: @horrortonwritesabook

Reviews

[KENDRA SISCOE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different

I like that this wasn't like any other that ive read lately,it was strange and weird in the best way I would recommend this book and the author to anyone looking for a quick entertaining read.

[Angel Medina · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Desiree Horton is one of my favorite female horror authors and for good reason, her stuff is excellent. This short story collection is no exception. It's a variety of Desire's previously released shorts and some fresh ones. Some of these are pretty dark, while others will make you question things. As I love to do with short story collections, I want to point out the stories that I enjoyed the most. The stories that I loved the most were:

- Black Dove
- What Jenny Meant
- Brightside Bunny and the Lessons of Hell
- Eggnog
- Wicked Hands (My personal favorite)

This is another perfect horror collection you should read for spooky season and see which stories you come out enjoying the most.

[S.E. Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her new short story collection "You Are The Thing That Scares in The Woods," author Desiree Horton brings together new and previously published stories to delight and terrify readers.

The volume includes "The Station Master" and "Wicked Hands" (both of which I've previously reviewed) and numerous shorter works showcasing Horton's skills as a writer, and her gift for crafting dark, atmospheric horror. Besides the aforementioned "Station Master" and "Wicked Hands," here are my personal favorites of the bunch:

"Black Dove" opens the collection on a strong note, providing both the source for the book's title, as well as a fresh take on body horror. A young woman yearns for self identity and escape from beneath the oppressive thumb of her overbearing older brother, and finds both in an unexpected -- and horrific -- fashion.

"Brightside Bunny and the Lessons of Hell," a macabre fable about being careful what you wish for, and one that begs the question: When naughty children or mouthy teens get to be too much, where can exasperated parents turn for help?

"Eggnog," which I've read before in another anthology, but still loved just as much the second time around. A woman who is desperate to impress her snooty sister during the holiday season creates an irresistible Yuletide cocktail with disastrous results.

"What Jenny Meant," in which a late-night encounter between a grocery store clerk and a bizarre customer takes a dark, terrifying turn.

Horton is a marvelous storyteller, and she's in top form here. "You Are The Thing That Scares in The Woods" highlights her diverse and imaginative range, delivering plenty of twists, turns, and moments that truly terrify within its pages. Whether you're already a fan or just discovering her work, it's a great collection you're not going to want to miss.

[Megan Diedericks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an insane collection of horror—from eight short stories to two novelette-length pieces; there's a little something for everyone to feast on, think on, and enjoy.

Most stories in this book had elements of being an urban legend in their own right: What will happen if you talk to a bird?, What will happen if you take in a stray bunny?, What if your friends want to explore old tunnels?, What if your chickens leave you one huge egg?, etc. etc. And the rest read like an urban legend's origin!

Every piece also had a claustrophic feel to it; I was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop each time I started a new story—which is a wonderful thing to experience in a horror collection!

You are the Thing that Scares in the Woods has the best of Desiree Horton's nightmare-fuel I've read up until this point! All of the creatures and creeps will be living in my head rent free.

Full review, with my thoughts on each story, here.

[ScarlettAnomalyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this was a dark collection of things that lurk in the dark and a great line up of all those things that maybe should stay there.

I really really liked Brightside Bunny and the Lessons of Hell, what a weirdly dark story about really thinking about what you long for and when is enough, enough? It was dark sinsiter and I loved that last sentence of the story ✨.

What Jenny Meant, was absolutely amazing, but I also have this little obsession with what I call retail no sleep horror and this was absolutely that, late night working as a cashier and bizarre as fuck customers, who even needs anything else, but some of Jenny's internal thoughts about took me out, I know those thoughts, brain thinking one way, but your Customer Service Persona taking over. But love Wanda and "Welcome to the Bakery" 😂

This was such a great look into Desiree and her mind, the darkness and those stories she rolled out, I need more.

[Richard Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better the second time.
I read my first story from this author a few weeks ago and eagerly read this collection when offered the chance. I wasn’t disappointed. This is a fantastic collection of short horror fiction. Some of the stories creep up on you like a shadow at night, while others go straight for the throat. WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE, HORSE WITH NO NAME, and WHAT JENNY MEANT were the ones I enjoyed the most, but there wasn’t a BAD story in the collection. Each story hits you in its own way, but each one hits HARD. Finishing this collection only makes me want to read more from this talented author.

[Sharon Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are the Thing that Scares in the Woods is a creatively creepy story collection. My favorite story was Black Dove, where an encounter with a new feathered friend leads to transformation and mutilation! Beasts of every sort haunt the pages, and if you ever smell someone’s breath and it reeks of cat piss, watch out!

[Casey Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic collection of stories that will leave you breathless. Just enough to get sucked in while leaving you wanting more (in the best way).