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Sinister Stitches: a collection of short horror stories (Shadow Fabric Mythos)

Mark Cassell (Goodreads Author)

4.27 · Rating details · 15 ratings · 7 reviews

Twelve horror stories weave truths you do not want to hear.

The collection includes:
Intensive Scare – Three teenagers dabble in the occult and learn there's a good reason to be afraid of the dark.
Red, White and Black – When a clinical trial goes horribly wrong, a lone survivor finds herself fleeing from a sentient infection.
Meeting Mum – Introducing a new ...more

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Kindle Edition, 128 pages

Published October 31st 2015 by Herbs House

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Start your review of Sinister Stitches: a collection of short horror stories (Shadow Fabric Mythos)

Nov 14, 2015 The Grim Reader rated it liked it

3.5 stars.

Mark Cassell has created his own mythos in the shadow fabric. This collection of flash fiction and short stories stems from the mythos. Mark is clearly a talented writer. He wears his influences proudly and the stories here are well written and well edited. The first half of the book was particularly enjoyable with stories of creeping shadows, demons and witches brought to life with Cassells's descriptive words. Why only 3.5 stars? My issue with the collection was with the over ...more

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Apr 09, 2016 Josh added it

review forthcoming

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Oct 15, 2017 Mark M J Green rated it it was amazing

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Mark Cassel’s novel The Shadow Fabric, it was pretty much a done deal that I was going to pick up Sinister Stitches; a collection of short stories in The Shadow Fabric Mythos.

Now initially I did think that ‘mythos’ was too grand a word for something that was essentially one novel and a collection of short stories that have been printed online or in other short story collections; however, once I started reading the book it all made sense and I realised that Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Mark Cassel’s novel The Shadow Fabric, it was pretty much a done deal that I was going to pick up Sinister Stitches; a collection of short stories in The Shadow Fabric Mythos.

Now initially I did think that ‘mythos’ was too grand a word for something that was essentially one novel and a collection of short stories that have been printed online or in other short story collections; however, once I started reading the book it all made sense and I realised that mythos was actually an accurate word after all, as the tales contained within Sinister Stitches are more than just mere spin-offs as they expand on the original story and each one of the tales is linked in some way or another to the legend or the mythos if you will, of The Shadow Fabric.

Reading The Shadow Fabric before reading Sinister Stitches isn’t essential as these are stand-alone tales, however I would recommend it to get the best enjoyment from the stories and to have a better understanding of exactly what is going on. Sure, you’ll get the overall theme that binds (stitches?) them all together but you’ll appreciate them much more when you have a broader view of the mythos (there’s that word again) from having read The Shadow Fabric. At the very least if you read Sinister Stitches first and enjoy it, then I would recommend that you then purchase The Shadow Fabric to broaden the tale and expand on the universe (see how I avoided using ‘mythos’ again).

Be aware though that some of the stories are very short indeed and I know that is not to everyone’s taste. In fact the longest story runs at just over 20 pages in length, and one of the shortest which is only a mere 4 pages actually contains 3 short stories with each one being just over a page in length.
Personally I don’t mind this, but as I said; I know that this may not be to everyone’s taste.
Still, as they apparently say when trying to put in a cheap innuendo; ‘it’s not the size that matters,’ and the quality of the stories contained within are very good indeed.

If you’ve read The Shadow Fabric then you might be pleased to hear that Leo makes a return in The Artist and the Crone, and there are plenty of other little references in the other stories that you will pick up on too.
I can’t pick a favourite story as I enjoyed them all equally, although Meeting Mum made me chuckle when Derek’s main concern over what’s happened to his girlfriend (you’ll have to read it to find out what I’m talking about as I’m not giving away any spoilers) was mainly focused on how he couldn’t let his mother see her in the condition she was in, rather than call for an ambulance.

If I had one tiny gripe it would be that I wanted to read more and found myself wishing there more stories simply because I was enjoying them so much. Actually I do have a second gripe and that’s that I still want to know what happened in the past between Victor and Lucas that they were alluding to in The Shadow Fabric.

If you’re looking for a collection of horror stories that are well written, have their own unique style and have a theme that stitches (yes I’m trying to be clever again) them all together, then you really can’t go wrong with Sinister Stitches.
And if your alarm clock should happen to go off at 03:33, then don’t worry about it…I’m sure it’s nothing; after all, they’re just stories right? ...more

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Jan 27, 2018 Lisa Lee rated it it was amazing

Welcome back to the Shadow Fabric mythos. There is no way to make this review reflect the incredible genius of this collection without making the review predominantly personal. The quality of this collection defies regular review methods. So, let us begin.

As stated in the synopsis, Sinister Stitches is a comprehensive elaboration on the Shadow Fabric mythos. The expertly written stories gruesomely expound on the histories and happenings that take place in the novels The Shadow Fabric and Hell Welcome back to the Shadow Fabric mythos. There is no way to make this review reflect the incredible genius of this collection without making the review predominantly personal. The quality of this collection defies regular review methods. So, let us begin.

As stated in the synopsis, Sinister Stitches is a comprehensive elaboration on the Shadow Fabric mythos. The expertly written stories gruesomely expound on the histories and happenings that take place in the novels The Shadow Fabric and Hell Cat of the Holt, taking the reader outside of those books in a concentric circle of the Shadow Fabric’s influence in the greater world.

I personally found “Meeting Mum” to be the most horrific of the stories, although not the most graphic. This particular story has distinctly horrific content. It is written so well that one might be desirous of flinging the book across the room, not advisable with a kindle but my paperback survived the impulse with minimal damage.

“Next on the List” and “On the Vine” are neck and neck for shock factor. These two are short and shocking and might prompt verbal exclamation. “Disturbed,” being among the longer of the short stories herein, is the most comprehensive of the Shadow Fabric mythos, horrifically connecting dots and answering questions from the original novels. “Seeing is Believing” is a haunting and slightly graphic prose.

Each of the stories is unique and uniquely written, bringing its own stitching to the Shadow Fabric. But, my personal favorite is “Welcome Home.” This story takes a real-life horror and stitches it into The Shadow Fabric. Well written, it almost flows like a novella in spite of how short it is. This one will stay with me and I may never vacation again.

If one is curious about the Shadow Fabric, these stories have the stand-alone power to lure one in, darkly vivid in their own right. Return to the Shadow Fabric mythos or sample the genius of Mark Cassell for the first time. This beautiful horror story collection is a must read.

For the folks at Amazon, where this review will be cross-posted, my paperback copy of Sinister Stitches was a gift and one that I will treasure always. It is on the shelf of honor. Get your own. ...more

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Mar 22, 2017 Miranda Kate rated it really liked it

I was taken by the novel, The Shadow Fabric, some time ago, and to be honest it never really left me, so I was keen to delve into more darkness and experience some more. My favourites in this collection were:

The Artist & The Crone - a return to the MC in the novel, with a superb ending;
Meeting Mum - a whole different way of introducing your girlfriend to your mum;
Disturbed - a tale which gave the potential for more depth and back story to the Shadow Fabric.

Mark Cassell likes things to get ...more

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Jul 08, 2018 Michelle rated it really liked it

Each story was unique in their creep factor. Just don't read before you go to sleep, unless you want some weird dreams. Recommended.

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Mar 18, 2017 Donna Colquhoun rated it it was amazing

After reading The Shadow Fabric which was brilliant I just had to read Sinister Stitches and I was not at all disappointed! The 12 short stories were equally as good and very well written.
Mark Cassell is a very talented writer that he can draw you into all his stories,I cannot wait to read more of his work.

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About Mark Cassell

Mark Cassell

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Mark’s jobs have included baker, lab technician, driving instructor, actor, and was once a spotlight operator for an Elvis impersonator. He lives on the south-east coast of England with his wife and a number of animals, including a bearded dragon called Arnie. Best known for supernatural horror, Mark’s work features in numerous reputable anthologies where he proves he has a penchant for ignoring ...more