The Gospels of Extinction: a collection of stories

by Seth Augenstein

A soliloquy from a ghost annoyed by a haunted-house tour coming through her home; a demonic viewfinder that’s indebted to M.R. James; and a bloodthirsty Ayn Rand wielding a chainsaw.

The Gospels of Extinction is a mix of horror, humor, and speculative fiction – all leavened with literary yeast. It’s a short-story collection debut indebted to the great American tradition of the incredible and sometimes terrifying prospects of a New World.

The other stories include a backyard portal to a past of utter American genocide; the disappearing world closing in around the mind of an Alzheimer’s patient; graverobbing Ernest Hemingway; the undiscovered gene linking all serial killers throughout human history; a Thanksgiving gone cannibalistic; a “slasher” story with a social-justice twist; a phone call from the longest distance of all… beyond the grave; and the intergenerational afterlife inheritance from a Mesoamerican death cult. Some of these are brief flash pieces; others are a bit longer. All are little worlds brought to life through the words of Seth Augenstein. They’re sequenced to keep the reader going long past bedtime - and into the realm of that twilight strangeness before the darkness shuts everything out.

Genres: Horror

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2026

About the author

Seth Augenstein is a writer of fiction and non-fiction. His debut story collection The Gospels of Extinction from Lost Meridian Press contains "taut, indelible stories... which are just as smart as they are frightening" (Kirkus). His previous novels were Lama with a Gun (2023, an "exhaustively researched, bloody, and compelling work of historical fiction," Kirkus), and Project 137 (2019). His stories have appeared in more than a dozen magazines and fiction podcasts, including Writer's Digest, The No Sleep Podcast, and The Molotov Cocktail. He spent a decade writing for New Jersey newspapers, lastly at The Star-Ledger. He picked up some state journalism awards, along travels to crime scenes, hospital operating rooms, natural disasters, funerals, and quiet homes. He was also the editor of Forensic Magazine, a tour guide at the James Joyce Centre, and a student in Saul Bellow’s final class. Now he lives on a rocky ridge in New Jersey with his wife and daughters.

Reviews

[Dan Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gospels of Extinction: A Collection of Stories by Seth Augenstein is a taut, unsettling, and remarkably clever debut short story collection that firmly establishes him as an authoritative new voice in contemporary literary horror. Released on June 1, 2026 by Lost Meridian Press, this 21-story anthology draws heavily from the author's decade-long background as a New Jersey newspaper crime reporter. Augenstein transforms the raw, real-world grimness of the police beat into surreal, dark, and frequently satirical speculative fiction.

The Gospels of Extinction is a brilliant, genre-bending triumph that honors dark fiction heavyweights like Brian Evenson and Laird Barron while introducing a fiercely original literary perspective. It handles the darkness of a hostile world with equal parts biting wit and structural elegance. It is a highly mandatory addition to the shelf of any horror enthusiast who prefers stories that make them think as much as they make them shiver.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some dark tales, some that leave you wondering what came next, thrillers, horrors. Some really short tales and some longer ones. A great variety of tales, none feeling too similar to any of the others. New Jersey is central in the majority of the stories, with a visit to Georgia and a couple of other states. All are rooted in reality with their fun twists and turns. This is perfect for the spooky season and it shows

[Tegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection of stories! The author clearly has a passion for well-researched historical stories that are based on oppressed minorities. The stories that featured those parts were my favourite.

The pacing and atmosphere in a large majority of these stories was top notch. Every story is genuinely creepy and unsettling in their own individual way.

I really enjoyed 'Empty Space', I could have read a whole novel with that premise. The care and love for the historical research is clear on the page. I liked 'Inheritance' and 'No Man's Land' for that reason too.

The story that creeped me out the most was 'Friendsgiving'. I've read a LOT of horror in my time but that story made me put the book down and leave it there for a while. It's such a short story but left a big impact on me (and almost put me off my dinner that night).

There was only one story that didn't work for me which was '. atrick C met ry' (not a typo, it's really named that). I think was a bit rushed in comparison to the other stories and it had the potential to be expanded on a little bit more to set the atmosphere. Twists and turns came at us at lightning speed and I didn't have time to get pulled in to the world.

This author loves to let the silence deliver the true horror after the last sentence has finished and it's very effective. Some of these stories will stay with me long after today and I know I'll end up buying this book to scratch those itches again.

Excellent collection and I'd love to read longer works by this author. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes horror!

Thank you to Seth Augenstein, Lost Meridian Press, and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and are left voluntarily.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seth Augenstein has put his creepy creative juices to work in this interesting compilation of short stories. This collection definitely gives Halloween vibes and would be perfect to choose from for scary stories around the camp fire. A couple of the stories have a tie between modern day story lines and historical components/Native American characters of yesteryear. Other excerpts are true ghost stories, and still others are psychological thrillers! Many will be sure to enjoy this collection; I, however, prefer to have a full storyline in my book! One last note - I like to make sure that people are aware of the fact that they will find profanity in these stories....not a dealbreaker, but I just like to give readers a heads up!

[Alan Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gospels of Extinction is a gripping collection of horror stories that blends supernatural terror with emotional depth. Each tale is atmospheric, suspenseful, and filled with memorable characters facing unsettling mysteries. Augenstein's sharp writing creates a lingering sense of dread while exploring themes of family, loss, and the unknown. The variety of stories keeps the collection fresh, making it hard to put down. Horror fans looking for intelligent, haunting fiction will find this book both chilling and thought-provoking.

[Lori Mosier · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting

The Gospel of Extinction by Seth Augenstein is a collection of 21 diverse and unique short stories of varying length. You will find horror, psychological thrillers and science fiction. Some will shock you, some are full of twists and turns, some will scare you, some will leave you wanting more and others will leave you saying “what?” Each story has a different vibe. They are too different for a fair comparison so I can’t really pick a favorite although if I had to I think I would choose “Friendsgiving” because it is so unique.

[Amber B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy & Thrilling

Seth Augenstein has created one of the most entertaining collections of short stories I’ve read in a while! While labeled as horror, this collection offers a great mix of horror, thriller, and supernatural stories all in one. Each story has a unique plot that is completely different from the next, so you never really know what you’re going to get.

Some stories will scare you, some will make you gasp out loud, and all of them are entertaining from start to finish. “The Inheritance,” which is toward the beginning of the collection, was one of my favorites.

“If your brain isn’t paralyzed with terror, you’d probably be able to figure out on your own why I’m telling you this.”

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the Author for a copy of the eARC

The Gospels of Extinction is a fascinating collection of short stories that blends horror, tragedy, and humor. Many of the stories breaks the mold and subverts expectations. Augenstein’s writing is descriptive and pulls you in while navigating a number of topics. With the variety of stories there is bound to be some that stand over the others but regardless it is a fun read if you are into horror anthologies.

[Sukhdave Takhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

*thank you netgalley for the ARC so i was able to read and give my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded to 4

1st off reading any collection of short stories is tricky cuz usually there 1 or 2 good stories and rest are blah but this was not one of those books. Most of the stories were creepy and entertaining i only didnt really like 3 of the stories. 3 bad out of 21 was good in my book.

[Williams Smith M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a dark and imaginative collection of short horror stories. Each story feels different, but they share a feeling of fear, loss, strange family history, and the unknown. The book often takes ordinary people and places, then slowly makes them feel unsafe. I liked the author’s ability to create an uneasy mood. Even quiet scenes made me feel that something bad might happen soon. The writing is serious, but it also has moments of dark humor that made the fear stronger.

[Bookread · Rating 5 out of 5]

What immediately drew me into The Gospels of Extinction was its wonderfully unpredictable blend of horror, dark humor, and speculative fiction. From a ghost irritated by haunted-house tourists to a bloodthirsty Ayn Rand wielding a chainsaw, every story offers a fresh premise that kept me eager to see what came next. The collection embraces the strange in the best possible way.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is its incredible variety. I especially enjoyed the stories about a backyard portal revealing America's forgotten past, an Alzheimer's patient watching the world slowly disappear around them, and the chilling idea of a hidden gene connecting serial killers throughout history. Each tale explores a different fear while remaining imaginative and thought-provoking.

[Bargain Counter Argument · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look, I can't tell you whether or not this book is for you. I can tell you that the chainsaw on the cover means business.

[Brandee Slough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unsettling and Thought-Provoking: A Masterclass in Smart and Frightening Horror Short Stories. Stepping into this brilliant collection of dark speculative fiction reveals an author who understands that the most terrifying monsters are rooted in human vulnerability and inescapable family trauma. Augenstein delivers a taut series of unforgettable narratives that balance chilling supernatural elements with sharp gallows humor and profound psychological depth. The writing is impeccably smart, avoiding cheap tropes in favor of rich character-driven tension that makes every single page resonate with unsettling power. Rather than relying solely on bleakness, the wonderfully drawn individuals navigating these morbid scenarios give the stories an essential emotional anchor. This is an essential read for anyone who appreciates thoughtful, high-caliber horror that challenges the intellect while inducing genuine shivers. Whether exploring ancient curses or modern decay, this exceptional volume leaves an indelible mark.

[Melanie Dively · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these small stories. The second story about the binoculars was one I didn’t stop until it was over and think it was such a good storyline that would have made an amazing book instead! I do enjoy that these are quick little stories that you can read rather quickly. Very well done and I will be recommending this to others!

[Books Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection was so wonderfully weird that I knew after the first few stories I was in for something special. I finished it yesterday, and it's one of those books that keeps surprising you because every story heads in a completely different direction.

What impressed me most was the variety. One minute I was reading about a ghost who's more annoyed than terrifying as people wander through her haunted house, and the next I was completely absorbed in a heartbreaking story involving Alzheimer's. Then there are delightfully bizarre ideas like a demonic artifact, a Thanksgiving that goes horribly wrong, and even historical figures showing up in unexpected ways. Somehow, despite all the different premises, the collection never felt random. There was a consistent voice tying everything together.

I also appreciated the balance between horror and humor. Some stories genuinely creeped me out, while others made me laugh at how absurdly clever they were. It reminded me of browsing a shelf of classic horror anthologies where you never know whether the next page will make you smile, shiver, or leave you quietly reflecting for a while.

The only reason I'm giving it 4.5 stars instead of a full five is that, as with most short-story collections, a handful of stories resonated with me more than others. None were bad, but a few packed a stronger emotional or psychological punch than the rest.

I'd definitely recommend The Gospels of Extinction to readers who enjoy literary horror, dark humor, speculative fiction, and short stories that aren't afraid to take creative risks. If you like strange, imaginative fiction that lingers in your mind after you've finished reading, this collection is well worth picking up.

[Jesse Neo · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** I GOT THIS BOOK FREE FROM SOONABOOK.COM AS AN ARC***

Okay, I'll admit, when I first read the quote from William Faulkner at the beginning of Seth Augenstein's book about novelists, short story writers, and poets being "failures" of one another, I was skeptical. It sounded like the kind of statement writers make to sound profound. But after reading these stories, I understood exactly why it was there.

These stories prove that sometimes a few pages can hit harder than an entire novel. A ghostly grandmother still searching for recognition after a lifetime of being overlooked. A father frozen by a strange object left behind by his dead uncle. An elderly man who no longer remembers the son standing in front of him because dementia has taken away pieces of his identity.

These moments are short, but they carry enormous emotional weight.

What impressed me most was how much humanity exists inside these stories. The supernatural elements are there, but they are not what makes them frightening.

The real horror comes from loneliness, regret, aging, family wounds, and the ways people hurt each other WITHOUT even realizing it.

Seth Augenstein understands that fear is not always something hiding in the dark.

Sometimes it is sitting at the dinner table, living in your memories, or waiting inside your own family history.

This collection is proof that a great short story does not need hundreds of pages to leave a lasting mark.

I recommend everyone to pick up this book and read it for themself!!

[Robert A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from SoonABook. This is my first reivew on Goodreads. I went into this book thinking, "I'm not really a horror person." I expected creepy monsters, predictable scares, and stories trying too hard to shock me.

Instead, I got something completely different.

This book goes everywhere. One minute you're reading about a woman whose beliefs change after a medical procedure, and somehow the story is both hilarious and heartbreaking. The next minute, you're thrown into a terrifying sci-fi nightmare involving experiments and DNA. Then suddenly you're sitting in a normal living room with a grandfather and grandson watching a war on television and somehow that felt more disturbing than any monster could have been.

That's what makes this collection work. You never know what kind of story you're getting next.

And that's not it!

The most surprising thing was realizing that the scariest parts were not always the supernatural ones. The stories about families, memories, and human cruelty were the ones that stayed with me the longest. The story involving a real family annihilator case and the themes of inheritance and family legacy were genuinely unsettling because they felt possible.

By the end, I stopped thinking of this as a horror book... It is really a collection about people, pain, and the strange ways life can break us. It completely changed my expectations of the genre, and now I'm interested in reading more from Seth Augenstein.

[Tulip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Seth for giving me this book on soonabook.com as an arc!!

The author proves that you don't need a long story to create a lasting impact.

The writing in this collection is actually very simple, direct... and incredibly effective.

There is no unnecessary decoration and no complicated language trying to impress the reader or turn it to the next Moby Dick. The sentences are clean but underneath them is a huge amount of emotion. That restraint is what makes these stories hit so hard.

Thre is a story about grandmother's ghost fighting to be remembered. And a mysterious package that changes a man's entire life. Then a father losing his connection to his own family because of dementia... ALl these stories take ordinary human experiences and twist them into something haunting. What I appreciated most is that the author does not rely on cheap scares. The fear comes from REALTY like grief, regret, aging, family secrets, and the consequences of the choices people make. The collection constantly surprises you, moving between horror, science fiction, and deeply personal human drama. Some stories are unsettling, some are heartbreaking, and some are strangely funny but at the end they all feel honest.

I started this book unsure if horror was for me. I finished it wanting to explore more of the genre. That alone says a lot about how powerful this collection is.

[West Gate · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was amazed by author Seth Augenstein's imagination; the story actually felt different. This caused
me to think what if man could literally look into the past and future? What if extinction isn't always the destruction of the world,
but the disappearance of something smaller and more intimate.... well this was just a thought. To me, The Book Has a Strong Fascination
With Human Blindness why? Because again and again, characters are presented with something extraordinary, but they cannot immediately understand what they are seeing
Or worse they understand it and choose to look away, Sebastian in “Vantage” becomes obsessed with seeing everything except what is directly in front of him.
In “Ayn Rand's Chainsaw,” the absurd horror surrounding the narrator eventually circles back to a much simpler problem a relationship that has reached a point
where communication had nearly collapsed. this got me asking what are we missing while we're busy trying to understand something else?

Great book worth my time

[Bonnie Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seth Augenstein’s The Gospels of Extinction is a wonderfully weird, darkly funny, and deeply unsettling collection of speculative shorts. Ranging from micro-flash fiction to lingering, atmospheric stories, this collection seamlessly bridges classic weird fiction dread with modern, razor-sharp dark humor. Augenstein’s imagination is on full display here; you’ll find everything from a ghost mildly annoyed by tourists trampling her house to a rogue corporate AI with a vendetta, to a chainsaw-wielding Ayn Rand. Standout concepts like a demonic viewfinder, a backyard portal to historical horrors, and a genetic link binding serial killers kept me hooked from story to story. If you appreciate speculative horror that balances dark satire, absurdism, and genuine creepiness without taking itself too seriously, this is well worth the read. High literary craft meets classic gallows humor.

[CK Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gospels of Extinction: A Collection of Stories by horror mastermind Seth Augenstein is one to read with a light on if you are easily scared. I loved the author’s intro as it reminded me of Stephen King whenever he dates/writes notes for his novels. Some favorites were “Ayn Rand’s Chainsaw” as both the story and narrator were equally compelling, “Friendsgiving” as this story took a turn quite quickly (and is such a great commentary on what is happening with the current state of the US), and “Empty Space” since you just cannot go wrong with a house story. Taut and sparse writing make this collection of short stories quite an enjoyable read. Loved it!

[Maranda Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book for the kindle, and I now need to purchase it for a physical copy so I can share it with friends, family, etc.


This collection of horror stories is amazing! Almost every tale brings you into a world that could have been a horror movie, television series, a full-length novel, etc. It was like getting an itch scratched that I have been trying to get, but couldn't reach for ages. I have been rewatching and hunting for horror and thriller shows and movies, and this book came to me at just the right time.


If you love H.P. Lovecraft, Tales from the Crypt, Fear Street, Edgar Allen Poe, or Stephen King, this book is for you.

[Viola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of mystery, horror, gothic. Having read Edgar Allan Poe, I felt I needed something different, more contemporary, and fresh when I found the Gospel of Extinction. I loved how the stories are intriguing while the characters one of a kind. In "Aria" they say: Ghosts don't exist. The reality is that you don't feel that way while reading the book. Each story is different from the other and the plot is always changing while the style of writing keeps you on the edge. There's horror but there's also humor in the story, a balance that's hard to find.

[Riya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a strong choice for readers who enjoy intelligent horror rather than straightforward jump scares. The biggest strength is the author's imagination and the variety of ideas throughout the collection. The stories explore different forms of fear while still maintaining interesting characters and themes. The only potential weakness is that, because it contains 21 different stories, some are naturally more memorable than others. Overall, it is an engaging and imaginative collection for fans of dark, thought-provoking fiction.

[Wongani Minjale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seth Augenstein’s debut, The Gospels of Extinction, masterfully blends horror, humor, and speculative fiction. Through a brilliant array of vignettes—featuring a bloodthirsty Ayn Rand, an annoyed ghost, and a graverobbed Hemingway—Augenstein delivers taut, indelible prose. The collection is smart, terrifying, and deeply atmospheric. These eerie, perfectly sequenced tales will linger in your mind long after you turn the final page.

[Mooshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing collection of short stories that are dark and twisted. I feel like this is one of those books that will hang around to be picked up several times over to re-read some of these. The author has a great way with words and the pacing of the stories. The stories are short but sweet and to the point with endings that you have to mull over for a bit before moving on to the next one. I received a complimentary copy of this book.

[Amanda T · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gospels of Extinction delivers sharp, haunting stories that feel like scripture written after the world has already burned. The writing is lyrical and eerie, the themes heavy with decay, memory, and the last flickers of hope. It’s a compact, atmospheric collection that sticks with you — bleak, beautiful, and unforgettable.

[Robynne Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Gospels of Extinction is a cleverly written, unsettling collection of short stories. The authors writing style was intriguing, and cleverly grabbed my attention from the get go.

I did feel that some stories maintained my attention and intrigue throughout, in comparison to some others. My particular favourite had to be the one involving the Alzheimer's patient. I felt that not only was this unsettling, with the authors strong writing style shining through out, it also was incredibly heart wrenching.

Overall, this was fast paced and intriguing. I'm definitely going to be picking up more of the authors work.

Final rating: 3.75 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers, for providing me with an ARC to review :)

[Daniel Driscoll · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this collection of stories- all unique but with the same dark humor and suspense that Seth brings. Recommend!