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Bites Collection: thirty bite-sized horror stories
The best of award-winning horror author Darcy Coates' Bites series is bought together in this collection of thirty chilling three-minute stories.
Psychological horror, ghosts, dark monsters, unexplained phenomenon and visceral terror blend together into an unforgettable experience. Read them late at night... if you dare.
Psychological horror, ghosts, dark monsters, unexplained phenomenon and visceral terror blend together into an unforgettable experience. Read them late at night... if you dare.
111 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2015
2 people are currently reading
745 people want to read
About the author
Darcy Coates
72 books14.8k followersDarcy Coates is the USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen horror and suspense novels.
She lives in the Central Coast of Australia with her family, cat, and a collection of chickens. Her home is surrounded by rolling wilderness on all sides, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
You can hear about her next book by joining her newsletter: www.darcycoates.com/updates
She lives in the Central Coast of Australia with her family, cat, and a collection of chickens. Her home is surrounded by rolling wilderness on all sides, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
You can hear about her next book by joining her newsletter: www.darcycoates.com/updates
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 17, 2019
An okay quick read of flash fiction. Nothing really spectacular, and you can probably guess the endings/twist for most of them, but fairly fun if you want a light read. Well, sort of like eating junk food. The style is what I'd call functional, and if these stories were longer I could see the writing getting boring pretty quickly.
Just to give you an example of the kinds of stories in this book (spoilers):
A bloke runs over a dog late at night, decides to bury the body. Twist is he's also burying his dead wife who's in the trunk (saw this coming a mile off).
A woman discovers a rotting body on the beach and worried it will wash away before being identified, tries to stash it, accidentally pulls off the head and takes it with her (aside from the fact that only a nutcase would do that, I liked how macabre this was!).
A woman is kept awake by her husband pacing at night, turns out he's dead (ending was telegraphed).
I wouldn't call these stories scary, but maybe that's because nothing scares me. I've yet to read a horror book that actually scared me. I'm hard as f&&&ing nails. ;)
**Edit, after reading the last story in this collection which for some reason I missed, I've increased my rating to 4 stars.
Just to give you an example of the kinds of stories in this book (spoilers):
A bloke runs over a dog late at night, decides to bury the body. Twist is he's also burying his dead wife who's in the trunk (saw this coming a mile off).
A woman discovers a rotting body on the beach and worried it will wash away before being identified, tries to stash it, accidentally pulls off the head and takes it with her (aside from the fact that only a nutcase would do that, I liked how macabre this was!).
A woman is kept awake by her husband pacing at night, turns out he's dead (ending was telegraphed).
I wouldn't call these stories scary, but maybe that's because nothing scares me. I've yet to read a horror book that actually scared me. I'm hard as f&&&ing nails. ;)
**Edit, after reading the last story in this collection which for some reason I missed, I've increased my rating to 4 stars.
December 10, 2016
So I still had this Bites Collection of Darcy Coates that I really wanted to read.
It sounded so awesome. Little bite-sized horror stories, perfect with a cup of tea. Some stories are 2/3, some are 5-ish pages. All in all, they are all short. For some that worked, for others it didn't. Some just needed more pages to have their story fleshed out more.
The book contains a varied menu of evil. From ghosts, to beasts of unknown names.
Here are my ratings + comments per story.
Footsteps in the night: 4.5 stars. Oh my, I did not expect that ending. If this is how all the stories will be, short, but very very then I will be a happy girl.
The Dog's Grave Digger: 4 stars. Okkkkkkaaayyyy I did not expect that. I had to re-read a few times to make sure it was really that as it came out of the blue, but it was definitely a great twist.
Flotsam: 2 stars. Sorry, but whut? This didn't make any sense and was totally weird. So she just took that with her? Why? *confused*
The Last Bus: 3.5 stars. o.0 wow that was creepy as hell. I already had a suspicion that something was up, but I didn't expect that. No sirree I did not expect that at all. o.0
House for sale: 3 stars. What the hell? Why would you even dare to sell the house? To a couple of newlyweds (+the girl was pregnant). I wish that there was a law making this crap illegal. You know what went on in the house, you know what will happen again, and you can live with that? You are just as bad as the person who did all of those things in the past. :|
Abandoned: 4 stars. Oh My, this was definitely creepy as hell, I still have goosebumps. Poor guy!
Radio: 4.5 stars. Wow. That twist at the ending, of course I could have guessed it, but I was deep in the story. I so hope I never come across that radio channel while in the car. *shivers*
The Resident. 4.5 stars. Yeahhhhh nope nope nope nope and more nope! *shivers*
Bogrot: 4 stars. Oh my gosh. Creeeeeeeepyyyyyy! It was a bit boring at the beginning, but it definitely went up 1.5 stars due to the ending. Holy.
Beanie's Fast Food: 3.5 stars. While I can imagine what truly happened at the end, it felt a bit weird, maybe if it was a few pages longer it would have been better.
Ghost Town: 1.5 stars. Meh didn't care that much for the character. I found him rude, and also incredibly stupid. So you would just go into an abandoned building and follow the sound of kid's voices? Hahahha, no. Why? Really, why?
99 Messages: 4.5 stars. Short but very effective, and creepy as well. I can't imagine the fear that creeps up on you when you get closer to the single digits in the messages. :(
After Closing: 1 star. Boring, bland, though it did have potential. Maybe if it turned into a longer story it would be even better.
Bunker: 1 star. *yawn* That one was boring. Totally not creepy. I was just shaking my head at this guy and what he did.
What Lives In the Woods: 1 star. It was creepy, though I have no clue what is going on. So Karin and Fel got eaten? Or something? What is that thing in the forest? Why did Fel drive like a maniac (because of the monster, though that would be a bit weird)? Too many question. A shame, again, this story would work better if it was longer.
Quarantine: 1 star. Meh, meh and more meh. It could have been so much better, but I already had my suspicions on what was going to happen. Also again, a space story, just like in the other book. While it fits because it is a horror, it just feel strange to find oneself in space suddenly.
Room for Rent: 3.5 stars. Much better than the previous stories, though I did see the twist coming, then again, wrong person. :P Good twist, good story.
The Woman in the Morgue: 4 stars. Oh my. Oh my. Oh my! Creepy, and that ending!
Great Aunt Enid: 1.5 stars. Meh. Aunt Enid was creepy, but this was definitely one of the tamer stories. A bit too tame for me.
Overheard: 4 stars. Ah, we are back to scary/creepy NOPE stories. This was definitely a story that started nice and sweet, but got creepier and ended in total NOPE.
The Cleaners: 1 star. Oh wait, we are back to *yawn* again. Sorry but this was just boring. The last sentences were interesting, but didn't save this story from getting a 1 star.
Left Behind: 4 stars. The title does spoil the ending a bit, which is a shame. But other than that this was a good story, and it gave me goosebumps as it is a terrifying idea that people might just well... read the story. :P
Diagen: 0.5 stars. Whut? Just whut? I have no clue what is going on in this story. Just that there is suddenly something, and there it ends.
Undeparted: 2 stars. Another what is happening here story. It was quite good (at least 3 stars) until the ending.
Hazard Lights: 5 stars. This was an amazing, spine-tingling, and slightly gory story. Man, I wouldn't want to be in that girl's shoes. No way. *shivers* It makes one wonder where those creatures came from. If more people know about them.
Snow Hunting: 4 stars. Oh my. I am sure that those boys didn't think this would happen when they did what they did in this story. Creepy!
Host: 3 stars. The hell did I just read? Urgh, I feel sick now. That poor woman. :(
The Empty Church: 1 star. Sorry, but it was creepy but I have no clue what is going on. Like with a few other stories I think it would have been better if this one was a bit longer. Had some backstory. Now even the ending felt lacklustre and weird.
In the Space Above the Wardrobe: 5 stars. Oh yes, this is what I wanted to read. That ending, I will definitely be checking all the corners in my home now. :P
The Sightless: 3 stars. Good idea, good story, but a bit boring and bland and the ending was a bit meh.
As you can see a very mixed bag, but it held quite a few shiny gems that I will not forget so soon. I loved the variety of evil, sometimes these short story books tend to go for one topic, but this one just picks a huge variety, from humans to the supernatural.
So I would recommend this book if you are looking for something creepy, something spine-tingly.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
It sounded so awesome. Little bite-sized horror stories, perfect with a cup of tea. Some stories are 2/3, some are 5-ish pages. All in all, they are all short. For some that worked, for others it didn't. Some just needed more pages to have their story fleshed out more.
The book contains a varied menu of evil. From ghosts, to beasts of unknown names.
Here are my ratings + comments per story.
Footsteps in the night: 4.5 stars. Oh my, I did not expect that ending. If this is how all the stories will be, short, but very very then I will be a happy girl.
The Dog's Grave Digger: 4 stars. Okkkkkkaaayyyy I did not expect that. I had to re-read a few times to make sure it was really that as it came out of the blue, but it was definitely a great twist.
Flotsam: 2 stars. Sorry, but whut? This didn't make any sense and was totally weird. So she just took that with her? Why? *confused*
The Last Bus: 3.5 stars. o.0 wow that was creepy as hell. I already had a suspicion that something was up, but I didn't expect that. No sirree I did not expect that at all. o.0
House for sale: 3 stars. What the hell? Why would you even dare to sell the house? To a couple of newlyweds (+the girl was pregnant). I wish that there was a law making this crap illegal. You know what went on in the house, you know what will happen again, and you can live with that? You are just as bad as the person who did all of those things in the past. :|
Abandoned: 4 stars. Oh My, this was definitely creepy as hell, I still have goosebumps. Poor guy!
Radio: 4.5 stars. Wow. That twist at the ending, of course I could have guessed it, but I was deep in the story. I so hope I never come across that radio channel while in the car. *shivers*
The Resident. 4.5 stars. Yeahhhhh nope nope nope nope and more nope! *shivers*
Bogrot: 4 stars. Oh my gosh. Creeeeeeeepyyyyyy! It was a bit boring at the beginning, but it definitely went up 1.5 stars due to the ending. Holy.
Beanie's Fast Food: 3.5 stars. While I can imagine what truly happened at the end, it felt a bit weird, maybe if it was a few pages longer it would have been better.
Ghost Town: 1.5 stars. Meh didn't care that much for the character. I found him rude, and also incredibly stupid. So you would just go into an abandoned building and follow the sound of kid's voices? Hahahha, no. Why? Really, why?
99 Messages: 4.5 stars. Short but very effective, and creepy as well. I can't imagine the fear that creeps up on you when you get closer to the single digits in the messages. :(
After Closing: 1 star. Boring, bland, though it did have potential. Maybe if it turned into a longer story it would be even better.
Bunker: 1 star. *yawn* That one was boring. Totally not creepy. I was just shaking my head at this guy and what he did.
What Lives In the Woods: 1 star. It was creepy, though I have no clue what is going on. So Karin and Fel got eaten? Or something? What is that thing in the forest? Why did Fel drive like a maniac (because of the monster, though that would be a bit weird)? Too many question. A shame, again, this story would work better if it was longer.
Quarantine: 1 star. Meh, meh and more meh. It could have been so much better, but I already had my suspicions on what was going to happen. Also again, a space story, just like in the other book. While it fits because it is a horror, it just feel strange to find oneself in space suddenly.
Room for Rent: 3.5 stars. Much better than the previous stories, though I did see the twist coming, then again, wrong person. :P Good twist, good story.
The Woman in the Morgue: 4 stars. Oh my. Oh my. Oh my! Creepy, and that ending!
Great Aunt Enid: 1.5 stars. Meh. Aunt Enid was creepy, but this was definitely one of the tamer stories. A bit too tame for me.
Overheard: 4 stars. Ah, we are back to scary/creepy NOPE stories. This was definitely a story that started nice and sweet, but got creepier and ended in total NOPE.
The Cleaners: 1 star. Oh wait, we are back to *yawn* again. Sorry but this was just boring. The last sentences were interesting, but didn't save this story from getting a 1 star.
Left Behind: 4 stars. The title does spoil the ending a bit, which is a shame. But other than that this was a good story, and it gave me goosebumps as it is a terrifying idea that people might just well... read the story. :P
Diagen: 0.5 stars. Whut? Just whut? I have no clue what is going on in this story. Just that there is suddenly something, and there it ends.
Undeparted: 2 stars. Another what is happening here story. It was quite good (at least 3 stars) until the ending.
Hazard Lights: 5 stars. This was an amazing, spine-tingling, and slightly gory story. Man, I wouldn't want to be in that girl's shoes. No way. *shivers* It makes one wonder where those creatures came from. If more people know about them.
Snow Hunting: 4 stars. Oh my. I am sure that those boys didn't think this would happen when they did what they did in this story. Creepy!
Host: 3 stars. The hell did I just read? Urgh, I feel sick now. That poor woman. :(
The Empty Church: 1 star. Sorry, but it was creepy but I have no clue what is going on. Like with a few other stories I think it would have been better if this one was a bit longer. Had some backstory. Now even the ending felt lacklustre and weird.
In the Space Above the Wardrobe: 5 stars. Oh yes, this is what I wanted to read. That ending, I will definitely be checking all the corners in my home now. :P
The Sightless: 3 stars. Good idea, good story, but a bit boring and bland and the ending was a bit meh.
As you can see a very mixed bag, but it held quite a few shiny gems that I will not forget so soon. I loved the variety of evil, sometimes these short story books tend to go for one topic, but this one just picks a huge variety, from humans to the supernatural.
So I would recommend this book if you are looking for something creepy, something spine-tingly.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
November 4, 2015
Bites Collection thirty bite sized horror stories
I was hoping that they would have been a little scary. You cannot do horror well in 3 minutes. Stephen king writes about 1,000 pages before he frightens the life out of you.
I was hoping that they would have been a little scary. You cannot do horror well in 3 minutes. Stephen king writes about 1,000 pages before he frightens the life out of you.
October 10, 2024
The book consists of short horror stories. While I read quite some of the longer novels written by this author reading the short stories was something else. Some of these stories had their scary plot twist at the end, making me go back to the start and read the tale again but with a completely different set of eyes.
The short stories allowed me to more easily pick up this book as you dont have to remember what happened previously. All in all an enjoyable read.
The short stories allowed me to more easily pick up this book as you dont have to remember what happened previously. All in all an enjoyable read.
October 31, 2015
30 extraordinary very short creepy stories.. Fun!
September 4, 2023
Bite size horror stories, bite size reviews.
My reaction to each of the story without giving away the spoilers!
1: Footsteps in the Night - Oh no Ben....
2: The Dog’s Grave Digger - Ah... The convenience
3: Flotsam - Well, at least she tried to do the right thing.
4: The Last Bus - Wrong bus, pal
5: House for Sale - Pam, what the hell!!!
6: Abandoned - Oh boy.... Being good Samaritan backfired
7: Radio - Creepy as fuck and tragic
8: The Resident - Hell naw!!! Nope nope
9: Bogrot - hah!!! I knew it
10: Beanie’s Fast Food - urban legend
11: Ghost Town - dude.... Kinda had it coming
12: 99 Messages - maybe don't skip the messages?
13: After Closing - ok..... Spending a night in a library is not looking so cool now
14: Bunker - cat and curiosity.....
15: What Lives in the Woods - Camping be dammed
16: Quarantine - Too late now!!! You sure about the help?
17: Room for Rent - Bloody hell, he didn't stand a chance.
18: The Woman in the Morgue - true story? Oh hell no!!!
19: Great Aunt Enid - oh shit..... No wonder
20: Overheard - Oh man, I should not have read this when I'm home alone
21: The Cleaners - Should have just done what Ash did... Clean and nothing else
22: Left Behind - Shit!! Only one left
23: Diagen - Aww, too bad for you mate
24: Undeparted - Oh, that's never ending
25: Hazard Lights - Shit!! That was intense!!
26: Snow Hunting - Run boys run!!!!!
27: Host - Always follow your instinct!!!
28: The Empty Church - Again cat and curiosity
29: In the Space Above the Wardrobe - Reading this in the bed at night with lights off - Bad idea
30: The Sightless - Bloody hell...silence forever
I really enjoyed this book!!! It was a quick and creepy read. Mini shivers and twists.
My reaction to each of the story without giving away the spoilers!
1: Footsteps in the Night - Oh no Ben....
2: The Dog’s Grave Digger - Ah... The convenience
3: Flotsam - Well, at least she tried to do the right thing.
4: The Last Bus - Wrong bus, pal
5: House for Sale - Pam, what the hell!!!
6: Abandoned - Oh boy.... Being good Samaritan backfired
7: Radio - Creepy as fuck and tragic
8: The Resident - Hell naw!!! Nope nope
9: Bogrot - hah!!! I knew it
10: Beanie’s Fast Food - urban legend
11: Ghost Town - dude.... Kinda had it coming
12: 99 Messages - maybe don't skip the messages?
13: After Closing - ok..... Spending a night in a library is not looking so cool now
14: Bunker - cat and curiosity.....
15: What Lives in the Woods - Camping be dammed
16: Quarantine - Too late now!!! You sure about the help?
17: Room for Rent - Bloody hell, he didn't stand a chance.
18: The Woman in the Morgue - true story? Oh hell no!!!
19: Great Aunt Enid - oh shit..... No wonder
20: Overheard - Oh man, I should not have read this when I'm home alone
21: The Cleaners - Should have just done what Ash did... Clean and nothing else
22: Left Behind - Shit!! Only one left
23: Diagen - Aww, too bad for you mate
24: Undeparted - Oh, that's never ending
25: Hazard Lights - Shit!! That was intense!!
26: Snow Hunting - Run boys run!!!!!
27: Host - Always follow your instinct!!!
28: The Empty Church - Again cat and curiosity
29: In the Space Above the Wardrobe - Reading this in the bed at night with lights off - Bad idea
30: The Sightless - Bloody hell...silence forever
I really enjoyed this book!!! It was a quick and creepy read. Mini shivers and twists.
Want to read
May 26, 2023The short stories in this book can be found in Small Horrors: A Collection of Fifty Creepy Stories.
July 19, 2017
Second horror book that I read in a row and it's also awesome! I can say that the author has talent on writing scary stories even though some are not really scary but still, good job! These are the stories that I will most likely to expect to read in Creepypasta. I hope to read more of these!
January 19, 2020
They were all good stories, all thirty of them... each one literally could have been the prologue of a novel or at least a Novella.
I’d continue reading each and every one of them, if they were... alas... it’s not a perfect world.
Read on.
I’d continue reading each and every one of them, if they were... alas... it’s not a perfect world.
Read on.
October 20, 2024
This a very quick read, 30 short spooky stories, great for a Halloween vibe. They are quick, simple, and hair raising. As this is a bunch of shorts, I did not have any real feelings on this, it's was just a good way to pass some time, give myself the creeps, and get in the mood for Halloween.
March 6, 2021
Small Horrors!
Read
July 25, 2021Needs more salt and pepper
April 26, 2025
Algunas historias 3/5, otras verdaderamente 5. Me cuesta enfocarme en ellas porque cambian demasiado rápido.
November 22, 2023
It sounded so awesome. Little bite-sized horror stories. Some stories are 2/3, some are 5-ish pages. All in all, they are all short. For some that worked, for others it didn't. Some just needed more pages to have their story fleshed out more. The book contains a varied menu of evil. From ghosts, to beasts of unknown names.
Here are my ratings per story.
* Footsteps in the night: 4.5 stars.
* The Dog's Grave Digger: 4 stars.
* Flotsam: 2 stars.
* The Last Bus: 3.5 stars.
* House for sale: 3 stars.
* Abandoned: 4 stars.
* Radio: 4.5 stars.
* The Resident: 4.5 stars.
* Bogrot: 4 stars.
* Beanie's Fast Food: 3.5 stars.
* Ghost Town: 1.5 stars.
* 99 Messages: 4.5 stars.
* After Closing: 1 star.
* Bunker: 1 star..
* What Lives In the Woods: 1 star.
* Quarantine: 1 star.
* Room for Rent: 3.5 stars.
* The Woman in the Morgue: 4 stars.
* Great Aunt Enid: 1.5 stars.
* Overheard: 4 stars.
* The Cleaners: 1 star.
* Left Behind: 4 stars.
* Diagen: 1 stars.
* Undeparted: 2 stars.
* Hazard Lights: 5 stars.
* Snow Hunting: 4 stars.
* Host: 3 stars. The hell did I just read?
* The Empty Church: 1 star.
* In the Space Above the Wardrobe: 5 stars
* The Sightless: 3 stars.
I loved the variety of evil, sometimes these short story books tend to go for one topic, but this one just picks a huge variety, from humans to the supernatural. So I would recommend this book if you are looking for something creepy.
Here are my ratings per story.
* Footsteps in the night: 4.5 stars.
* The Dog's Grave Digger: 4 stars.
* Flotsam: 2 stars.
* The Last Bus: 3.5 stars.
* House for sale: 3 stars.
* Abandoned: 4 stars.
* Radio: 4.5 stars.
* The Resident: 4.5 stars.
* Bogrot: 4 stars.
* Beanie's Fast Food: 3.5 stars.
* Ghost Town: 1.5 stars.
* 99 Messages: 4.5 stars.
* After Closing: 1 star.
* Bunker: 1 star..
* What Lives In the Woods: 1 star.
* Quarantine: 1 star.
* Room for Rent: 3.5 stars.
* The Woman in the Morgue: 4 stars.
* Great Aunt Enid: 1.5 stars.
* Overheard: 4 stars.
* The Cleaners: 1 star.
* Left Behind: 4 stars.
* Diagen: 1 stars.
* Undeparted: 2 stars.
* Hazard Lights: 5 stars.
* Snow Hunting: 4 stars.
* Host: 3 stars. The hell did I just read?
* The Empty Church: 1 star.
* In the Space Above the Wardrobe: 5 stars
* The Sightless: 3 stars.
I loved the variety of evil, sometimes these short story books tend to go for one topic, but this one just picks a huge variety, from humans to the supernatural. So I would recommend this book if you are looking for something creepy.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews