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Phantoms: Haunting Tales from Masters of the Genre
A stunning new ghost story anthology featuring stories from bestselling authors Joe Hill, Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay and M.R. Carey
The brightest names in horror showcase a ghastly collection of eighteen ghost stories that will have you watching over your shoulder, heart racing at every bump in the night. In “My Life in Politics” by M.R. Carey the spirits of those without a voice refuse to let a politician keep them silent. In “The Adjoining Room” by A.K. Benedict a woman finds her hotel neighbour trapped and screaming behind a door that doesn’t exist. George Mann’s “The Restoration” sees a young artist become obsessed with returning a forgotten painting to its former glory, even if it kills her. And Laura Purcell’s “Cameo” shows that the parting gift of a loved one can have far darker consequences than ever imagined…
These unsettling tales from the some of the best modern horror writers will send a chill down your spine like someone has walked over your grave…or perhaps just woken up in their own.
The brightest names in horror showcase a ghastly collection of eighteen ghost stories that will have you watching over your shoulder, heart racing at every bump in the night. In “My Life in Politics” by M.R. Carey the spirits of those without a voice refuse to let a politician keep them silent. In “The Adjoining Room” by A.K. Benedict a woman finds her hotel neighbour trapped and screaming behind a door that doesn’t exist. George Mann’s “The Restoration” sees a young artist become obsessed with returning a forgotten painting to its former glory, even if it kills her. And Laura Purcell’s “Cameo” shows that the parting gift of a loved one can have far darker consequences than ever imagined…
These unsettling tales from the some of the best modern horror writers will send a chill down your spine like someone has walked over your grave…or perhaps just woken up in their own.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2019
206 people are currently reading
679 people want to read
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October 23, 2018
As I type this it is October, and, as a result, the post-person to my house is usually kept busy with tomes pertaining to Hallowe’en. This collection is one that immediately caught my eye – eighteen tales that have the potential to chill the blood a little…
Editor Marie O’Regan (British Fantasy Award nominated writer and editor, co-chair of the UK chapter of the Horror Writer’s Association) has managed to select from some of the best contemporary stories to reflect the current state of Horror publishing. (And by the look of this, it’s looking great.)
Some names you may know, even if you’re not an up-to-date reader of the genre – Joe Hill, M. R. (Mike) Carey, Kelley Armstrong and Paul Tremblay have all been on the best-sellers lists recently. They are the attention-grabbers. Some are reprints, most are new here. Most noticeable is perhaps Joe’s story of a ghost in a cinema, 20th Century Ghosts, which is also the titular story of his debut collection I reviewed back in 2006. It is still as good as it was then, but we have other stories to read before that one.
The first story sets the scene for much of the collection. Angela Slattery’s When We Fall, We Forget, is a creepy tale of revenge beyond the grave and a reminder that bad deeds rarely go unpunished. The idea of revenge and redemption from beyond the physical world appear often elsewhere in this collection too. Mike Carey’s politician in My Life in Politics is as unsavoury as a politician can be, whilst the mourner at a Scottish wake in Helen Grant’s The Chain Walk conforms to the stereotype of a miserly Scottish skinflint to a tee: both seem to get what they deserve.
There are some tales that are just odd, even dreamlike - Tom is in the Attic, by Doctor Who scriptwriter Rob Shearman, is a strange tale of ghosts and possession. John Connelly’s A Haunting is a real gem – a dreamy remembrance of the positive value of a shared life, by one half of a deceased couple, that will resonate with anyone with the luxury of a long marriage.
More down to earth, Tim Lebbon’s A Man Walking His Dog is about the discovery of a dead body and has a nice twist at the end. Josh Malerman’s Frank, Hide covers similar ground from a different perspective. Like Joe Hill’s story, Muriel Grey’s tale, The Front Row Rider, is a contemporary story that shows us that there can be much to fear in modern places. It may put you off amusement rides or the Underground for life.
Similarly, there are clearly ghosts out there who wish to tempt you to investigate further. A.K. Benedict’s tale of what lies in The Adjoining Room of a convention hotel will be familiar to anyone who has stayed in one, and might just make you check the lock on your door the next time you’re there. Kelley Armstrong’s The Ghost in the Glade seemingly just wants you to play, but has a sinister past.
Alternatively, for those who like their thrills in an ‘olde-worlde’ setting, there’s a glimpse of the Gothic in Laura Purcell’s Cameo which ramps up the traditional by being a baroque tale with a heirloom that may not be as treasured as it first appears to be. And whilst I’m mentioning objects with unusual properties, George Mann’s The Restoration deserves mention also, as a rather M. R. James-ian story of an old painting with a strange power. Alison Littlewood’s The Marvellous Talking Machine is a tale based on real events, that of a talking machine used as a circus-like exhibit in 1846. Her version has a touch of the Bradbury about it, managing to create something both creepy and sad.
As a slightly more recent nostalgia trip, Paul Tremblay’s A Haunted House is a Wheel Upon Which Some are Broken is the story of someone who returns to a house they lived in when younger where they find many ghosts there to meet them. It is told in the format of one of those adventure games of the 1980’s and ‘90’s where you turn to different pages to find out what to do next. Gemma Files’ story Halloo brings us up to date with a contemporary version of this, with the lead character return to a house from her past which has consequences for those involved.
Also bringing us up to modern day, Mark A. Latham’s One New Follower shows us the perils of social media in an alternate upgrading of the old idea of being followed by… something.
Of the new tales, the stories I liked best were Mike Carey’s story, and Alison Littlewood’s story, both already mentioned. The Adjoining Room by A. K. Benedict was also a creepy little gem George Mann’s was based on an un-original idea, but was told well. Catriona Ward’s Lula-Belle is an effective tale of sisterly love which did not quite end how I expected it.
There’s a fair range here, which I think readers will appreciate. Of the eighteen tales, I suspect that you are bound to know some of the authors, but there will be others you may not have. To study them further, Marie has given a handy About the Authors chapter at the end. This book may make you want to read more by some of them, and this should help.
In summary, Phantoms is an eclectic group of tales that will keep you entertained at Hallowe’en – or at any other time you want a slight thrill from your reading. Like all collections, not everything will work for everybody, but for me there’s more hits and misses, and there are even some that are worth buying the collection for, just on their own.
Editor Marie O’Regan (British Fantasy Award nominated writer and editor, co-chair of the UK chapter of the Horror Writer’s Association) has managed to select from some of the best contemporary stories to reflect the current state of Horror publishing. (And by the look of this, it’s looking great.)
Some names you may know, even if you’re not an up-to-date reader of the genre – Joe Hill, M. R. (Mike) Carey, Kelley Armstrong and Paul Tremblay have all been on the best-sellers lists recently. They are the attention-grabbers. Some are reprints, most are new here. Most noticeable is perhaps Joe’s story of a ghost in a cinema, 20th Century Ghosts, which is also the titular story of his debut collection I reviewed back in 2006. It is still as good as it was then, but we have other stories to read before that one.
The first story sets the scene for much of the collection. Angela Slattery’s When We Fall, We Forget, is a creepy tale of revenge beyond the grave and a reminder that bad deeds rarely go unpunished. The idea of revenge and redemption from beyond the physical world appear often elsewhere in this collection too. Mike Carey’s politician in My Life in Politics is as unsavoury as a politician can be, whilst the mourner at a Scottish wake in Helen Grant’s The Chain Walk conforms to the stereotype of a miserly Scottish skinflint to a tee: both seem to get what they deserve.
There are some tales that are just odd, even dreamlike - Tom is in the Attic, by Doctor Who scriptwriter Rob Shearman, is a strange tale of ghosts and possession. John Connelly’s A Haunting is a real gem – a dreamy remembrance of the positive value of a shared life, by one half of a deceased couple, that will resonate with anyone with the luxury of a long marriage.
More down to earth, Tim Lebbon’s A Man Walking His Dog is about the discovery of a dead body and has a nice twist at the end. Josh Malerman’s Frank, Hide covers similar ground from a different perspective. Like Joe Hill’s story, Muriel Grey’s tale, The Front Row Rider, is a contemporary story that shows us that there can be much to fear in modern places. It may put you off amusement rides or the Underground for life.
Similarly, there are clearly ghosts out there who wish to tempt you to investigate further. A.K. Benedict’s tale of what lies in The Adjoining Room of a convention hotel will be familiar to anyone who has stayed in one, and might just make you check the lock on your door the next time you’re there. Kelley Armstrong’s The Ghost in the Glade seemingly just wants you to play, but has a sinister past.
Alternatively, for those who like their thrills in an ‘olde-worlde’ setting, there’s a glimpse of the Gothic in Laura Purcell’s Cameo which ramps up the traditional by being a baroque tale with a heirloom that may not be as treasured as it first appears to be. And whilst I’m mentioning objects with unusual properties, George Mann’s The Restoration deserves mention also, as a rather M. R. James-ian story of an old painting with a strange power. Alison Littlewood’s The Marvellous Talking Machine is a tale based on real events, that of a talking machine used as a circus-like exhibit in 1846. Her version has a touch of the Bradbury about it, managing to create something both creepy and sad.
As a slightly more recent nostalgia trip, Paul Tremblay’s A Haunted House is a Wheel Upon Which Some are Broken is the story of someone who returns to a house they lived in when younger where they find many ghosts there to meet them. It is told in the format of one of those adventure games of the 1980’s and ‘90’s where you turn to different pages to find out what to do next. Gemma Files’ story Halloo brings us up to date with a contemporary version of this, with the lead character return to a house from her past which has consequences for those involved.
Also bringing us up to modern day, Mark A. Latham’s One New Follower shows us the perils of social media in an alternate upgrading of the old idea of being followed by… something.
Of the new tales, the stories I liked best were Mike Carey’s story, and Alison Littlewood’s story, both already mentioned. The Adjoining Room by A. K. Benedict was also a creepy little gem George Mann’s was based on an un-original idea, but was told well. Catriona Ward’s Lula-Belle is an effective tale of sisterly love which did not quite end how I expected it.
There’s a fair range here, which I think readers will appreciate. Of the eighteen tales, I suspect that you are bound to know some of the authors, but there will be others you may not have. To study them further, Marie has given a handy About the Authors chapter at the end. This book may make you want to read more by some of them, and this should help.
In summary, Phantoms is an eclectic group of tales that will keep you entertained at Hallowe’en – or at any other time you want a slight thrill from your reading. Like all collections, not everything will work for everybody, but for me there’s more hits and misses, and there are even some that are worth buying the collection for, just on their own.
June 4, 2019
Posted on Kendall Reviews - October 29, 2018
Phantoms: Haunting Tales from the Masters of the Genre is a new collection of eighteen ghost stories featuring the brightest names in horror from authors Joe Hill, Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay, M.R. Carey, Angela Slatter, Robert Shearman, Tim Lebbon, Laura Purcell, Catriona Ward, Muriel Gray, John Connolly, Helen Grant, A. K. Benedict, Kelley Armstrong, George Mann, Mark A. Latham, Gemma Files, and Alison Littlewood.
I haven’t read an anthology in a very long time, my go-to of choice was that of my favorite horror and mystery authors many moons ago. I have forgotten how much I enjoy the cornucopia of different writing styles and this book, edited by Marie O’Regan and Published by Titan Books, was a pleasure to read.
The novel opens with one of my favorite short stories written by Angela Slatter; When We Fall, We Forget, wherein a preacher, like the ‘drunkenly twisted oak that clings to the side of the granite church,’ Father McBride leans on his faith in the hopes that his sinister secret will never be revealed. Robert Shearman’s Tom Is in The Attic, is a unique tale about possession, and one that honestly left me puzzled by the stories end. Joe Hill’s 20th Century Ghost, another favorite, is set in an old movie theater, not like one of the chains you see today; the Rosebud is steeped in cinematic history and legend of both the living and the dead. A Man Walking His Dog by Tim Lebbon reminds me of the many crime shows I love to watch that begins with a man walking a dog or a jogger who happens upon an unexpected find in an out of the way place, seldom, if ever, do we hear how they feel after making such a discovery as we do in this story, which is as heartbreaking as Laura Purcell’s Cameo, the next haunted tale in this anthology, a writing style, like many in this collection, I absolutely fell in love with. There are a few stories within, including this one, when my jaw dropped, and I uttered loudly, according to my husband ‘Holy crap! I wasn’t expecting that ending,’ and I love it when that happens. My husband, not so much in the wee hours of the morning. Catriona Ward’s Lula-Belle is a haunting tale of sisterly love that’s soured and stewed over the years into contempt of one so thick towards the other, it’s like the ‘shrill tinkle’ of a persistent bell, ‘each peal was like a dent in her sister’s skull.’ Front Row Rider by Muriel Gray is another story with a jaw-dropping conclusion that I joyfully did not predict. A Haunting by John Connolly is a heartfelt story about the never-ending love of a married couple. ‘She was his as he was hers, and she had never regretted that fact, and would never grow weary of it. But now there was no Mrs., only Mr… Her death had tilted the globe on its axis,’ my eyes tearing as I turned the page. My Life in Politics by M.R. Carey is about ‘the spirits of those without a voice who refuse to let a politician keep them silent,’ and let’s just say I was praying that good would prevail over the evil within. Frank, Hide by Josh Malerman, and The Chain Walk by Helen Grant are two more twisted tales of sweet revenge from beyond the grave, and I gleefully wasn’t disappointed by the way the stories end. The Adjoining Room by A.K. Benedict is set in a haunted hotel room and is another story I thoroughly enjoyed. ‘I’m in the Adjoining Room. There is one window. Sometimes it shows the sea… I have two options. I’m not sure which is the braver.’ The Ghost in the Glade by Kelly Armstrong, in a word, love! ‘There’s a ghost that plays in an empty glade… She tells me she’s sad. She begs me to stay and cries when I leave and wants me to join her.’ The Restoration by George Mann is so well written, like many stories in this anthology, I can only hope my writing will one day measure up to that of the authors in this book. ‘Rae has always believed in magic. Not the elaborate trickery of stage performers, nor the twee tales of childhood, whispered by a soothing mother into her childhood ear…No, this is magic of an earthly kind; the sort made real by the scratch of pencil upon paper, the gentle sliding of a brush across a fresh canvas –a spell wrought in indigo and ochre, crimson and gold.’ One New Follower by Mark A. Nathan begins with an innocent looking social media smartphone app and ends with something entirely more sinister. A Haunted House Is A Wheel Upon Which Some Are Broken by Paul Tremblay is told in a unique style of writing reminiscent of the ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ books I read so many moons ago, giving the reader an option to leave the haunted house at several points within the narrative, however, it was my twisted curiosity that drove me forward to what was, for me, a heartbreaking end. Hallo by Gemma Files reads like the psychological thrillers I’ve enjoyed over the years, and the last story in this collection is The Marvellous Talking Machine by Alison Littlewood, though a haunting fictional tale, it’s loosely based on Joseph Faber’s talking machine called the Euphonia that was displayed at the Egyptian Hall in 1846. I’m a huge fan of historical fiction, and I really enjoyed reading this story.
In closing, I want to thank Titan Books for providing Kendall Reviews with an ARC of Phantoms, it was not only a pleasure to read but also to review and a novel I highly recommend. All quotes within this review come from an advanced copy of this book.
If my review of Phantoms sparked your interest, then, by all means, take a bite, and delve into the creative minds of the authors – you may be surprised by what you find lurking within.
~D.K. Hundt
D. K. Hundt is an American writer with a BA degree in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. When she’s not writing contemporary fiction and horror/supernatural stories, she likes to spend her free time working as a volunteer in her community, being a minion for her cat Simon, warding off carnivorous spiders, and throwing herself into and around the dark alleyways of Stephen King novels in search of inspiration. D. K. resides in California with her husband, and she is currently working on a horror novel titled, Cheveyo–a story about a young boy who goes to live with his grandpa on a reservation, and soon discovers that the malevolent creatures that lurk in the Okanogan Forest aren’t the only deadly secret the locals are hiding.
You can follow D.K. on Twitter @DKHundt1
Please visit D.K.’s official website www.dkhundt.com
Book Blurb:
A stunning new ghost story anthology featuring stories from bestselling authors Joe Hill, Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay and M.R. Carey
The brightest names in horror showcase a ghastly collection of eighteen ghost stories that will have you watching over your shoulder, heart racing at every bump in the night. In “My Life in Politics” by M.R. Carey the spirits of those without a voice refuse to let a politician keep them silent. In “The Adjoining Room” by A.K. Benedict a woman finds her hotel neighbour trapped and screaming behind a door that doesn’t exist. George Mann’s “The Restoration” sees a young artist become obsessed with returning a forgotten painting to its former glory, even if it kills her. And Laura Purcell’s “Cameo” shows that the parting gift of a loved one can have far darker consequences than ever imagined…
These unsettling tales from the some of the best modern horror writers will send a chill down your spine like someone has walked over your grave… or perhaps just woken up in their own.
You can buy Phantoms: Haunting Tales From Masters Of The Genre from Amazon UK & Amazon US
Phantoms: Haunting Tales from the Masters of the Genre is a new collection of eighteen ghost stories featuring the brightest names in horror from authors Joe Hill, Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay, M.R. Carey, Angela Slatter, Robert Shearman, Tim Lebbon, Laura Purcell, Catriona Ward, Muriel Gray, John Connolly, Helen Grant, A. K. Benedict, Kelley Armstrong, George Mann, Mark A. Latham, Gemma Files, and Alison Littlewood.
I haven’t read an anthology in a very long time, my go-to of choice was that of my favorite horror and mystery authors many moons ago. I have forgotten how much I enjoy the cornucopia of different writing styles and this book, edited by Marie O’Regan and Published by Titan Books, was a pleasure to read.
The novel opens with one of my favorite short stories written by Angela Slatter; When We Fall, We Forget, wherein a preacher, like the ‘drunkenly twisted oak that clings to the side of the granite church,’ Father McBride leans on his faith in the hopes that his sinister secret will never be revealed. Robert Shearman’s Tom Is in The Attic, is a unique tale about possession, and one that honestly left me puzzled by the stories end. Joe Hill’s 20th Century Ghost, another favorite, is set in an old movie theater, not like one of the chains you see today; the Rosebud is steeped in cinematic history and legend of both the living and the dead. A Man Walking His Dog by Tim Lebbon reminds me of the many crime shows I love to watch that begins with a man walking a dog or a jogger who happens upon an unexpected find in an out of the way place, seldom, if ever, do we hear how they feel after making such a discovery as we do in this story, which is as heartbreaking as Laura Purcell’s Cameo, the next haunted tale in this anthology, a writing style, like many in this collection, I absolutely fell in love with. There are a few stories within, including this one, when my jaw dropped, and I uttered loudly, according to my husband ‘Holy crap! I wasn’t expecting that ending,’ and I love it when that happens. My husband, not so much in the wee hours of the morning. Catriona Ward’s Lula-Belle is a haunting tale of sisterly love that’s soured and stewed over the years into contempt of one so thick towards the other, it’s like the ‘shrill tinkle’ of a persistent bell, ‘each peal was like a dent in her sister’s skull.’ Front Row Rider by Muriel Gray is another story with a jaw-dropping conclusion that I joyfully did not predict. A Haunting by John Connolly is a heartfelt story about the never-ending love of a married couple. ‘She was his as he was hers, and she had never regretted that fact, and would never grow weary of it. But now there was no Mrs., only Mr… Her death had tilted the globe on its axis,’ my eyes tearing as I turned the page. My Life in Politics by M.R. Carey is about ‘the spirits of those without a voice who refuse to let a politician keep them silent,’ and let’s just say I was praying that good would prevail over the evil within. Frank, Hide by Josh Malerman, and The Chain Walk by Helen Grant are two more twisted tales of sweet revenge from beyond the grave, and I gleefully wasn’t disappointed by the way the stories end. The Adjoining Room by A.K. Benedict is set in a haunted hotel room and is another story I thoroughly enjoyed. ‘I’m in the Adjoining Room. There is one window. Sometimes it shows the sea… I have two options. I’m not sure which is the braver.’ The Ghost in the Glade by Kelly Armstrong, in a word, love! ‘There’s a ghost that plays in an empty glade… She tells me she’s sad. She begs me to stay and cries when I leave and wants me to join her.’ The Restoration by George Mann is so well written, like many stories in this anthology, I can only hope my writing will one day measure up to that of the authors in this book. ‘Rae has always believed in magic. Not the elaborate trickery of stage performers, nor the twee tales of childhood, whispered by a soothing mother into her childhood ear…No, this is magic of an earthly kind; the sort made real by the scratch of pencil upon paper, the gentle sliding of a brush across a fresh canvas –a spell wrought in indigo and ochre, crimson and gold.’ One New Follower by Mark A. Nathan begins with an innocent looking social media smartphone app and ends with something entirely more sinister. A Haunted House Is A Wheel Upon Which Some Are Broken by Paul Tremblay is told in a unique style of writing reminiscent of the ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ books I read so many moons ago, giving the reader an option to leave the haunted house at several points within the narrative, however, it was my twisted curiosity that drove me forward to what was, for me, a heartbreaking end. Hallo by Gemma Files reads like the psychological thrillers I’ve enjoyed over the years, and the last story in this collection is The Marvellous Talking Machine by Alison Littlewood, though a haunting fictional tale, it’s loosely based on Joseph Faber’s talking machine called the Euphonia that was displayed at the Egyptian Hall in 1846. I’m a huge fan of historical fiction, and I really enjoyed reading this story.
In closing, I want to thank Titan Books for providing Kendall Reviews with an ARC of Phantoms, it was not only a pleasure to read but also to review and a novel I highly recommend. All quotes within this review come from an advanced copy of this book.
If my review of Phantoms sparked your interest, then, by all means, take a bite, and delve into the creative minds of the authors – you may be surprised by what you find lurking within.
~D.K. Hundt
D. K. Hundt is an American writer with a BA degree in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. When she’s not writing contemporary fiction and horror/supernatural stories, she likes to spend her free time working as a volunteer in her community, being a minion for her cat Simon, warding off carnivorous spiders, and throwing herself into and around the dark alleyways of Stephen King novels in search of inspiration. D. K. resides in California with her husband, and she is currently working on a horror novel titled, Cheveyo–a story about a young boy who goes to live with his grandpa on a reservation, and soon discovers that the malevolent creatures that lurk in the Okanogan Forest aren’t the only deadly secret the locals are hiding.
You can follow D.K. on Twitter @DKHundt1
Please visit D.K.’s official website www.dkhundt.com
Book Blurb:
A stunning new ghost story anthology featuring stories from bestselling authors Joe Hill, Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay and M.R. Carey
The brightest names in horror showcase a ghastly collection of eighteen ghost stories that will have you watching over your shoulder, heart racing at every bump in the night. In “My Life in Politics” by M.R. Carey the spirits of those without a voice refuse to let a politician keep them silent. In “The Adjoining Room” by A.K. Benedict a woman finds her hotel neighbour trapped and screaming behind a door that doesn’t exist. George Mann’s “The Restoration” sees a young artist become obsessed with returning a forgotten painting to its former glory, even if it kills her. And Laura Purcell’s “Cameo” shows that the parting gift of a loved one can have far darker consequences than ever imagined…
These unsettling tales from the some of the best modern horror writers will send a chill down your spine like someone has walked over your grave… or perhaps just woken up in their own.
You can buy Phantoms: Haunting Tales From Masters Of The Genre from Amazon UK & Amazon US
June 15, 2024
A collection of ghost stories by modern authors. This is a middle-of-the-road anthology with more three-star-rated stories than anything else. There were a couple of excellent stories through. There are better ghost story anthologies out there.
1. When We Fall, We Forget by Angela Slattery - The narrator tells how they are related to a bad man who became a priest. Very atmospheric and well-written but predictable. (3/5)
2. Tom is in the Attic by Robert Shearman - A woman visits with the three ghosts in her old house: Young Tom, Old Tom, and just Tom. A well-written, enjoyable story but I didn't understand it really. (3/5)
3. 20th Century Ghost by Joe Hill - I hadn't read this before and looked forward to it. It didn't meet my expectations. Filled with nostalgia and atmosphere for the one movie screen theatre which came before even my day lol nothing besides the ghost talks (3/5)
4. A Man Walking His Dog by Tim Lebbon - A woman on her morning constitutional missed her husband who has been missing for about a week. And the man who found the body has little nightmares that something is wrong with the dog. Didn't Make any sense to me (2/5)
5. Cameo by Laura Purcell - An estranged daughter returns for her mother's reading of the will. She receives a black cameo which has a strange effect on her. Wonderfully atmospheric and gothic (4/5)
6. Lula-Belle by Catriona Ward - Irene's abusive sister finally dies from the cancer but on her first night home alone she hears the bell tinkle. Short and not much to it. (2/5)
7. Front Row Rider by Muriel Gray - A woman is haunted by a ghost occasionally and it terrifies her life. Started boring but turned into a great ending. (3/5)
8. A Haunting by John Connolly - On the first anniversary after his wife died he goes to their hotel room and finds it haunted by the 30yo version of her. I don't get this at all. (2/5)
9. My Life in Politics by MR Carey - A young woman tells us of a couple of years she worked for a rising politician. An entertaining read with an interesting ending. (3/5)
10. Frank, Hide by Josh Malerman - A man walking through the forest finds a window hanging in the air. Pretty boring (2/5)
11. The Chain Walk by Helen Grant - This is weird. After his wife's wake, he goes to the ocean and walks along a chain path set into the cliffs. I don't really get it. (2/5)
12. The Adjoining Room by AK Benedict - A woman at a conference hears a ghostly voice in the room next door. A common theme with an ending with a difference. (4/5)
13. The Ghost in the Glade by Kelly Armstrong - When she's 10 a ghost appears in the woods on their property. The ghost wants her to stay forever. Very good! It leads you in the wrong direction. So satisfying. (5/5)
14. The Restoration by George Mann - A woman begins restoration work on a painting and we go back to the actual painter and his muse. The painting is affecting the woman. A creepy tale. (3/5)
15. One New Follower by Mark A Latham - A photographer goes on a hike suggested by an online follower and finds some creepy stuff. This was fantastic. Very creepy. (5/5)
16. A Haunted House is a Wheel Upon Which Some are Broken by Paul Tremblay - This is a choose-your-own-adventure about an elderly woman who visits the house she lived in as a child. I just don't get along with this author. (2/5)
17. Halloo by Gemma Files - The narrator has a secret to tell so she starts telling her life story while she and her girlfriend clean an apartment in her Nan's basement. Pretty freaky as the story gets worse and worse. (4/5)
18. The Marvelous Talking Machine by Alison Littlewood - A little historical fiction based on the true story of an automaton with supernatural elements added. Entertaining for the last story in the book (3/5)
1. When We Fall, We Forget by Angela Slattery - The narrator tells how they are related to a bad man who became a priest. Very atmospheric and well-written but predictable. (3/5)
2. Tom is in the Attic by Robert Shearman - A woman visits with the three ghosts in her old house: Young Tom, Old Tom, and just Tom. A well-written, enjoyable story but I didn't understand it really. (3/5)
3. 20th Century Ghost by Joe Hill - I hadn't read this before and looked forward to it. It didn't meet my expectations. Filled with nostalgia and atmosphere for the one movie screen theatre which came before even my day lol nothing besides the ghost talks (3/5)
4. A Man Walking His Dog by Tim Lebbon - A woman on her morning constitutional missed her husband who has been missing for about a week. And the man who found the body has little nightmares that something is wrong with the dog. Didn't Make any sense to me (2/5)
5. Cameo by Laura Purcell - An estranged daughter returns for her mother's reading of the will. She receives a black cameo which has a strange effect on her. Wonderfully atmospheric and gothic (4/5)
6. Lula-Belle by Catriona Ward - Irene's abusive sister finally dies from the cancer but on her first night home alone she hears the bell tinkle. Short and not much to it. (2/5)
7. Front Row Rider by Muriel Gray - A woman is haunted by a ghost occasionally and it terrifies her life. Started boring but turned into a great ending. (3/5)
8. A Haunting by John Connolly - On the first anniversary after his wife died he goes to their hotel room and finds it haunted by the 30yo version of her. I don't get this at all. (2/5)
9. My Life in Politics by MR Carey - A young woman tells us of a couple of years she worked for a rising politician. An entertaining read with an interesting ending. (3/5)
10. Frank, Hide by Josh Malerman - A man walking through the forest finds a window hanging in the air. Pretty boring (2/5)
11. The Chain Walk by Helen Grant - This is weird. After his wife's wake, he goes to the ocean and walks along a chain path set into the cliffs. I don't really get it. (2/5)
12. The Adjoining Room by AK Benedict - A woman at a conference hears a ghostly voice in the room next door. A common theme with an ending with a difference. (4/5)
13. The Ghost in the Glade by Kelly Armstrong - When she's 10 a ghost appears in the woods on their property. The ghost wants her to stay forever. Very good! It leads you in the wrong direction. So satisfying. (5/5)
14. The Restoration by George Mann - A woman begins restoration work on a painting and we go back to the actual painter and his muse. The painting is affecting the woman. A creepy tale. (3/5)
15. One New Follower by Mark A Latham - A photographer goes on a hike suggested by an online follower and finds some creepy stuff. This was fantastic. Very creepy. (5/5)
16. A Haunted House is a Wheel Upon Which Some are Broken by Paul Tremblay - This is a choose-your-own-adventure about an elderly woman who visits the house she lived in as a child. I just don't get along with this author. (2/5)
17. Halloo by Gemma Files - The narrator has a secret to tell so she starts telling her life story while she and her girlfriend clean an apartment in her Nan's basement. Pretty freaky as the story gets worse and worse. (4/5)
18. The Marvelous Talking Machine by Alison Littlewood - A little historical fiction based on the true story of an automaton with supernatural elements added. Entertaining for the last story in the book (3/5)
March 26, 2019
A curiously melancholy collection at times, tackling issues surrounding grief and mourning in many of the stories within. Tremblay's story 'A Haunted House is the Wheel on Which Some Are Broken' is a particular highlight, and shows how he continues to be one of the very best, and most thoughtful, genre writers at work today. 'Lula-Belle' by Catriona Ward was another gem, a story that really side-swiped me, revealing it's core power carefully and shockingly. The surrealistic ghosts of Robert Shearman point to the author's deep understanding for the complexities of what it is to be human in 'Tom is in the Attic'. Angela Slatter's work is poetic and dark and insidious and the opening tale of the collection, 'When We Fall, We Forget' sets the benchmark high. I rate O'Regan as an editor and a writer, and she has long been a champion of genre. This is a solid collection, demonstrating that the power of the supernatural in fiction is as potent as ever.
March 15, 2019
Saw this one on the library shelf and thought it sounded great. I love ghost stories and creepy stuff.
This collection was fine. Some of the stories were even a bit creepy, or thought provoking, or well written. And others just didn’t do it for me. I didn’t think any of the stories were outright bad, but just ‘meh’.
Maybe I’ve reached a point in my life where books don’t scare me anymore. And that makes me sad. I want to have the feeling I had back in the day when I read The Amityville Horror for the first time and was creeped out and just curled under the covers and felt like I couldn’t leave. Maybe I’ll just never have those types of experiences reading books anymore. They just don’t do it for me anymore. I won’t stop trying though!
This collection was fine. Some of the stories were even a bit creepy, or thought provoking, or well written. And others just didn’t do it for me. I didn’t think any of the stories were outright bad, but just ‘meh’.
Maybe I’ve reached a point in my life where books don’t scare me anymore. And that makes me sad. I want to have the feeling I had back in the day when I read The Amityville Horror for the first time and was creeped out and just curled under the covers and felt like I couldn’t leave. Maybe I’ll just never have those types of experiences reading books anymore. They just don’t do it for me anymore. I won’t stop trying though!
April 16, 2019
Normally I would've given this 3 stars, as none of the stories were bad, but thinking back on it, there really weren't any stories that I really enjoyed either. Some of them were more intriguing, but without a solid hook of a story that really grabbed me, the overall effect was lackluster.
November 30, 2019
Phantoms
A great collection well worth the read. A mixture of different styles of chilling awaits you...
When We Fall, We Forget 5/5
Now this is a great start to an anthology. It’s written in present tense from the perspective of, who appears to be, a young female, but this story is dark and dismal from a moral and emotional point of view that it becomes it strongest point. The characterisation is sublime and the idea of angels doesn’t usually interest me but I could have read a novel with this concept. It intrigues, thrills, scares and even haunts you emotionally. A very cleverly written narrative. Excellent.
Tom is in the Attic 5/5
I don’t think people appreciate how hard it is to write a 2nd person perspective story. It’s an amazing talent about a woman who speaks to a man called Tom. It’s a simple narrative but the present tense also creates a suspense that very few stories manage so you can never anticipate where it blindly leads you. A freaky and novel idea.
20th Century Ghost 5/5
I read this story when I was a teenager which shows how old it actually is now, but I never really appreciated it. It meant more to me as an adult where an old style cinema is haunted by a woman who died during her favourite film and never got to see the end. The reactions of the main characters is very believable and it haunts in an old style way that horror seems to have lost. An elegant vintage tale that enamours you with its glorification of cinema history.
A Man Walking His Dog 4/5
A bit of a curveball, but with just the right amount of punch. It takes a while for this story to build before you realise how it fits in this collection but the twist is good, although subtle enough to produce a very sad and thought provoking ending. A nice touch to a good story.
Cameo 4/5
Set in a time where classes were very much decided by wealth (I know they still are). But the death of a cold family member causes a will to dish out salt to wounds within a family. When the daughter is left a valuable trinket she doesn’t see the issues it may cause, even from the afterlife. A shocking twist at the end of a paranormal encounter leaves the MC wishing they never attended the hearing. The use of language for the period here is outstanding to create the atmosphere with the research that must have been involved.
Lula-Belle 3/5
A disturbing tale of two sisters whom one of which has died from a terminal illness. The story actually grinds slowly until about half way through when the pace changes and two intruders get more than what they expected from the angry, unpredictable reactions of the dead woman. The writing is tight and the snapshot of the story is strong for it’s length. I couldn’t see this one being a novel length though.
Front Row Rider 4/5
A strange tale of an anxious woman who sees a man who tries to encourage her to start living life and taking a few risks. The title becomes apparent as the story unfolds in a psychological style. The characterisation was good as well as the thought provoking philosophical outlook upon wasted life, but the final two lines brings a totally different impact for the whole setting, nicely done.
A Haunting 5/5
A real heart wrencher. A man returns to a hotel room where he stayed with his wife every year. Now alone after her death, he wallows in an experience of deja vu as a younger version of her enters the room. The apparition unfolds as a memory of the man and the authors description of his loss and sensual feelings for the woman even as a ghost are touching which allows for an even sadder finale. It’s another fitting story with a simple premise that is executed very well.
My Life in Politics 4/5
This one began as a straight forward soap with what seemed to be a happy start. You just end up waiting knowing something is going to go wrong, but the MC’s progression into the world of politics not only serves as a moral and social statement of today’s issues and mistrust in establishment, it blends dark fantasy with the aid of what initially appears to just be the MC’s imagination. It turns into something far more sinister and uplifts the story every page. I loved the fact that the god, Pan, makes an appearance too.
Frank, Hide 3/5
A rather surreal stab at a representation of emotional torment that keeps you reading until the end. It had an edginess about it that made it clear enough to imagine. The horror involved appears minimal but the physiological impact this story brings is terrifying.
The Chain Walk 4/5
Guilt I think is the theme here as a man lays to rest a wife he didn’t truly love, but his anxiety to get away from everything he thought made him happy could end up as his demise along as superstitious memories of her return to him as he approaches the chain walk along an ocean coastline. What could go wrong. A dark tale without all the cliché techniques.
The Adjoining Room 4/5
Another hotel jaunt where a lonely woman stays on business to find that the noises from the adjoining room haunt her. Whether this adjoining room exists at all in the structure of the building is another problem she is likely to be curious about. The whole things turns nasty as she attempts to find this room and becomes suddenly trapped in an isolated horror as a demon lives within its walls. Another simple idea with enough nerve and twisted imagination to pull it off well.
The Ghost in the Glade 5/5
Through a child’s perspective we hear about the ghost in the glade, a lonely young girl who we learn went missing years previous. As time progresses and the protagonist becomes an adult, there is more than one twist to follow. This is a sad and evocative tale which paints everybody as having a negative impact on the small village in which it is set. This piece doesn’t need too much detail with surroundings as it is strongly rooted in social empathy and perseverance. The revelations at the end fit nicely against the building pace of the narrative. A modern take on a traditional spook story.
The Restoration 4/5
A slow build story with not much hint on where its going until near the end. The vocabulary is excellent and almost becomes an art essay at certain points as an artist and a restorer (of different eras) work on the same painting with a strong love for their work. This work soon becomes a downfall for them both, but in very different ways. As the scenes and perspectives and tenses all change it shows the careful structure of this story and how it cleverly knits together by the end. A wonderful haunting composition of artistic plane.
One New Follower 4/5
AN interesting take on the digital haunting with social media taking a spotlight. This was a very down to earth and believable story regarding images that reveal something that is not there. Or it is? Nicely paced but the ending I found a bit disappointing. The characterisation on the other hand is top notch like the others.
A Haunted House is a Wheel Upon which Some are Broken 4/5
This story I had high hopes for, and I have to say it almost matched them. It reads in the style of a choose your own adventure book where you make a choice and turn to page XX, or another choice where you turn to page XY. However, it’s all set in one house and each respective room tells it’s own story of a family member of the MC who has died in an odd and disturbing way. Some are worse than others and the tether to the memories and actions of each character is pinpoint. It reminds me of a video game which may or may not have come before this story called ‘What remains of Edith Finch’. Your choices are somewhat looped and you end up having to read it all anyway which makes it feel a bit less interactive. The narrative is also mostly in reminiscence which doesn’t really allow for much intense story progression or ending. However, it is well written and if you do find your way out of the house, it still leaves you with a cold feeling you only get from certain stories.
Halloo 2/5
This is possibly the only story I personally couldn’t get on with. It took a lot of concentration and multiple tense changes, perspective changes and dialogue additions just seem to confuse the flow of this story. I understood the basic premise, I think, and although written in a clear style where characters are conversing, I don’t feel it was a strong enough narrative when compared to the others in this collection.
The Marvellous Talking Machine 3/5
A strange end to the collection set in the scientific progressive times of the late 19th century. Initially it comes across as slightly comical as the mad scientist and the MC’s father create the much anticipated talking machine, but the moral tone becaomes uncomfortably darker when he finds out the machine resembles a human female, and much more so, the creator’s ex-wife. What makes it that much scarier is the footnote which seems to enlighten the reader that the whole thing was based on true events. The questioning by the child MC heightens the anticipation. A neat outro to the collection.
A great collection well worth the read. A mixture of different styles of chilling awaits you...
When We Fall, We Forget 5/5
Now this is a great start to an anthology. It’s written in present tense from the perspective of, who appears to be, a young female, but this story is dark and dismal from a moral and emotional point of view that it becomes it strongest point. The characterisation is sublime and the idea of angels doesn’t usually interest me but I could have read a novel with this concept. It intrigues, thrills, scares and even haunts you emotionally. A very cleverly written narrative. Excellent.
Tom is in the Attic 5/5
I don’t think people appreciate how hard it is to write a 2nd person perspective story. It’s an amazing talent about a woman who speaks to a man called Tom. It’s a simple narrative but the present tense also creates a suspense that very few stories manage so you can never anticipate where it blindly leads you. A freaky and novel idea.
20th Century Ghost 5/5
I read this story when I was a teenager which shows how old it actually is now, but I never really appreciated it. It meant more to me as an adult where an old style cinema is haunted by a woman who died during her favourite film and never got to see the end. The reactions of the main characters is very believable and it haunts in an old style way that horror seems to have lost. An elegant vintage tale that enamours you with its glorification of cinema history.
A Man Walking His Dog 4/5
A bit of a curveball, but with just the right amount of punch. It takes a while for this story to build before you realise how it fits in this collection but the twist is good, although subtle enough to produce a very sad and thought provoking ending. A nice touch to a good story.
Cameo 4/5
Set in a time where classes were very much decided by wealth (I know they still are). But the death of a cold family member causes a will to dish out salt to wounds within a family. When the daughter is left a valuable trinket she doesn’t see the issues it may cause, even from the afterlife. A shocking twist at the end of a paranormal encounter leaves the MC wishing they never attended the hearing. The use of language for the period here is outstanding to create the atmosphere with the research that must have been involved.
Lula-Belle 3/5
A disturbing tale of two sisters whom one of which has died from a terminal illness. The story actually grinds slowly until about half way through when the pace changes and two intruders get more than what they expected from the angry, unpredictable reactions of the dead woman. The writing is tight and the snapshot of the story is strong for it’s length. I couldn’t see this one being a novel length though.
Front Row Rider 4/5
A strange tale of an anxious woman who sees a man who tries to encourage her to start living life and taking a few risks. The title becomes apparent as the story unfolds in a psychological style. The characterisation was good as well as the thought provoking philosophical outlook upon wasted life, but the final two lines brings a totally different impact for the whole setting, nicely done.
A Haunting 5/5
A real heart wrencher. A man returns to a hotel room where he stayed with his wife every year. Now alone after her death, he wallows in an experience of deja vu as a younger version of her enters the room. The apparition unfolds as a memory of the man and the authors description of his loss and sensual feelings for the woman even as a ghost are touching which allows for an even sadder finale. It’s another fitting story with a simple premise that is executed very well.
My Life in Politics 4/5
This one began as a straight forward soap with what seemed to be a happy start. You just end up waiting knowing something is going to go wrong, but the MC’s progression into the world of politics not only serves as a moral and social statement of today’s issues and mistrust in establishment, it blends dark fantasy with the aid of what initially appears to just be the MC’s imagination. It turns into something far more sinister and uplifts the story every page. I loved the fact that the god, Pan, makes an appearance too.
Frank, Hide 3/5
A rather surreal stab at a representation of emotional torment that keeps you reading until the end. It had an edginess about it that made it clear enough to imagine. The horror involved appears minimal but the physiological impact this story brings is terrifying.
The Chain Walk 4/5
Guilt I think is the theme here as a man lays to rest a wife he didn’t truly love, but his anxiety to get away from everything he thought made him happy could end up as his demise along as superstitious memories of her return to him as he approaches the chain walk along an ocean coastline. What could go wrong. A dark tale without all the cliché techniques.
The Adjoining Room 4/5
Another hotel jaunt where a lonely woman stays on business to find that the noises from the adjoining room haunt her. Whether this adjoining room exists at all in the structure of the building is another problem she is likely to be curious about. The whole things turns nasty as she attempts to find this room and becomes suddenly trapped in an isolated horror as a demon lives within its walls. Another simple idea with enough nerve and twisted imagination to pull it off well.
The Ghost in the Glade 5/5
Through a child’s perspective we hear about the ghost in the glade, a lonely young girl who we learn went missing years previous. As time progresses and the protagonist becomes an adult, there is more than one twist to follow. This is a sad and evocative tale which paints everybody as having a negative impact on the small village in which it is set. This piece doesn’t need too much detail with surroundings as it is strongly rooted in social empathy and perseverance. The revelations at the end fit nicely against the building pace of the narrative. A modern take on a traditional spook story.
The Restoration 4/5
A slow build story with not much hint on where its going until near the end. The vocabulary is excellent and almost becomes an art essay at certain points as an artist and a restorer (of different eras) work on the same painting with a strong love for their work. This work soon becomes a downfall for them both, but in very different ways. As the scenes and perspectives and tenses all change it shows the careful structure of this story and how it cleverly knits together by the end. A wonderful haunting composition of artistic plane.
One New Follower 4/5
AN interesting take on the digital haunting with social media taking a spotlight. This was a very down to earth and believable story regarding images that reveal something that is not there. Or it is? Nicely paced but the ending I found a bit disappointing. The characterisation on the other hand is top notch like the others.
A Haunted House is a Wheel Upon which Some are Broken 4/5
This story I had high hopes for, and I have to say it almost matched them. It reads in the style of a choose your own adventure book where you make a choice and turn to page XX, or another choice where you turn to page XY. However, it’s all set in one house and each respective room tells it’s own story of a family member of the MC who has died in an odd and disturbing way. Some are worse than others and the tether to the memories and actions of each character is pinpoint. It reminds me of a video game which may or may not have come before this story called ‘What remains of Edith Finch’. Your choices are somewhat looped and you end up having to read it all anyway which makes it feel a bit less interactive. The narrative is also mostly in reminiscence which doesn’t really allow for much intense story progression or ending. However, it is well written and if you do find your way out of the house, it still leaves you with a cold feeling you only get from certain stories.
Halloo 2/5
This is possibly the only story I personally couldn’t get on with. It took a lot of concentration and multiple tense changes, perspective changes and dialogue additions just seem to confuse the flow of this story. I understood the basic premise, I think, and although written in a clear style where characters are conversing, I don’t feel it was a strong enough narrative when compared to the others in this collection.
The Marvellous Talking Machine 3/5
A strange end to the collection set in the scientific progressive times of the late 19th century. Initially it comes across as slightly comical as the mad scientist and the MC’s father create the much anticipated talking machine, but the moral tone becaomes uncomfortably darker when he finds out the machine resembles a human female, and much more so, the creator’s ex-wife. What makes it that much scarier is the footnote which seems to enlighten the reader that the whole thing was based on true events. The questioning by the child MC heightens the anticipation. A neat outro to the collection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2021
A great anthology!
I read this anthology specifically for Laura Purcell's Cameo short. Her story was great and has the same vibe as her other books (which is good!). She is a favorite of mine.
With the bonus of amazing stories from other authors as well. Some of my other favorites included The Marvelous Talking Machine by Alison Littlewood, Frank, Hide by Josh Malerman, and 20th Century Ghost by Joe Hill. I had not read Alison Litttlewood before and I look forward to reading more from her.
I enjoyed almost all of the stories in this anthology because they were all very unique. I highly recommend to any fans of horror and ghost stories but also to anyone looking for a starter into the genre too. While creepy, these stories are not extreme horror so they would be great for someone not interested in the more gruesome side of horror but the spooky and creepy.
I read this anthology specifically for Laura Purcell's Cameo short. Her story was great and has the same vibe as her other books (which is good!). She is a favorite of mine.
With the bonus of amazing stories from other authors as well. Some of my other favorites included The Marvelous Talking Machine by Alison Littlewood, Frank, Hide by Josh Malerman, and 20th Century Ghost by Joe Hill. I had not read Alison Litttlewood before and I look forward to reading more from her.
I enjoyed almost all of the stories in this anthology because they were all very unique. I highly recommend to any fans of horror and ghost stories but also to anyone looking for a starter into the genre too. While creepy, these stories are not extreme horror so they would be great for someone not interested in the more gruesome side of horror but the spooky and creepy.
February 27, 2020
Absolutely stunning anthology. There were a mere 2 or 3 that I didn't care for. As a whole there were many that I found to be amazing. Loved this.
December 9, 2019
Some standout stories, some clunkers, and some that I have read before in different anthologies but overall an enjoyable experience. The few that were right in my laboratory were Joe Hill's "20th Century Ghost" (which I had read in the anthology of the same name), "The Adjoining Room" by A.K. Benedict, and "The Ghost in the Glade" by Kelley Armstrong, which all present themselves as being both terrifying and all too human in their lost lives and sometimes lost loves.
Good for a quick read where you don't really need much investment or just a couple of shivers on a cold winter night.
Good for a quick read where you don't really need much investment or just a couple of shivers on a cold winter night.
January 9, 2021
Phantoms: Haunting Tales from Masters of the Genre is a collection of short stories from the brightest names in horror from authors Joe Hill, Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay, M.R. Carey, Angela Slatter, Robert Shearman, Tim Lebbon, Laura Purcell, Catriona Ward, Muriel Gray, John Connolly, Helen Grant, A. K. Benedict, Kelley Armstrong, George Mann, Mark A. Latham, Gemma Files, and Alison Littlewood. (edited by Marie O'Regan)
I picked this one up in Forbidden Planet in London, and one of the reasons was because it was signed by some of the authors. That turned out to be a very good decision, as this collection was a diverse mix of very well written horror shorts which were perfect for those rush-around December days as I could dib in and out and read a whole story in one go.
My favourites were When We Fall We Forget by Angela Slatter, about a preacher with a sinister secret, 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill, set in an old movie theatre haunted by its history, Cameo by Laura Purcell, a beautifully chilling slice of gothic, My Life in Politics by M R Carey, a tale about a corrupt politician and a human tragedy (loved the voice in this one), The Adjoining Room by A K Benedict is set in a haunted hotel room with a delicious edge of macabre, The Ghost in the Glade by Kelley Armstrong has a lovely dark fairy tale tone, The Restoration by George Mann is about a woman who is restoring an old painting but who finds that it has the power to overwhelm her life and that it has its own dark past, One New Follower by Mark A Latham about a man who discovers that a social media app can deliver so much more, and A Haunted House is A Wheel Upon Which Some Are Broken by Paul Tremblay is such a unique haunting tale. where the reader can choose different points at which to leave the story.
It's a very strong collection, thoroughly enjoyable, and I'll definitely be back for more!
I picked this one up in Forbidden Planet in London, and one of the reasons was because it was signed by some of the authors. That turned out to be a very good decision, as this collection was a diverse mix of very well written horror shorts which were perfect for those rush-around December days as I could dib in and out and read a whole story in one go.
My favourites were When We Fall We Forget by Angela Slatter, about a preacher with a sinister secret, 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill, set in an old movie theatre haunted by its history, Cameo by Laura Purcell, a beautifully chilling slice of gothic, My Life in Politics by M R Carey, a tale about a corrupt politician and a human tragedy (loved the voice in this one), The Adjoining Room by A K Benedict is set in a haunted hotel room with a delicious edge of macabre, The Ghost in the Glade by Kelley Armstrong has a lovely dark fairy tale tone, The Restoration by George Mann is about a woman who is restoring an old painting but who finds that it has the power to overwhelm her life and that it has its own dark past, One New Follower by Mark A Latham about a man who discovers that a social media app can deliver so much more, and A Haunted House is A Wheel Upon Which Some Are Broken by Paul Tremblay is such a unique haunting tale. where the reader can choose different points at which to leave the story.
It's a very strong collection, thoroughly enjoyable, and I'll definitely be back for more!
October 21, 2020
This was a decent collection of ghost stories. I almost gave up pretty quick because the first two stories were easily the two worst in the collection. I wasn't real optimistic if those were the first two the editor decided to lead off with. There were a few stories that I wouldn't really have included in this collection, since they weren't really ghost stories, but most of them were still pretty good. Of the non-ghost ghost stories, I'd have dropped the first story and Paul Tremblay's contribution.
I was pretty disappointed with the Paul Tremblay choose your own adventure style story. It could have been a lot better if he would have had more options (especially when re-visiting rooms) and actually gone with real ghosts instead of emotional ones.
I originally came across this collection because I was looking up Joe Hill books. He was the main reason I checked this out from the library, so I was a little disappointed when his contribution was just 20th Century Ghost, which had already been published in his first book. It was still a good read, but was hoping for something new.
I was pretty disappointed with the Paul Tremblay choose your own adventure style story. It could have been a lot better if he would have had more options (especially when re-visiting rooms) and actually gone with real ghosts instead of emotional ones.
I originally came across this collection because I was looking up Joe Hill books. He was the main reason I checked this out from the library, so I was a little disappointed when his contribution was just 20th Century Ghost, which had already been published in his first book. It was still a good read, but was hoping for something new.
November 18, 2018
Interesting
Some stories were really interesting. Others left you with a feeling of hippies telling their confusing poems on a stage for college students..
Some stories were really interesting. Others left you with a feeling of hippies telling their confusing poems on a stage for college students..
April 15, 2024
Overall a pretty good collection, not a lot of total standouts but mostly all pretty enjoyable and I always love a good ghost story.
When We Fall, We Forget by Angela Slatter: A fallen angel kills a priest to get her daughter back. The bog body parts are very creepy but all the angel stuff got a bit convoluted, 4/5.
Tom Is In the Attic by Robert Shearman: a woman sees three ghosts named Tom who steal her soul (?) and also her teeth? I wanted more out of this, the ending felt a bit unsatisfying, 2/5.
20th Century Ghost by Joe Hill: an old movie theater is haunted by a girl who died there. I'd read this one before, it's a really solid ghost story. Good creepiness mixed with interesting real-life bits, 4/5.
A Man Walking His Dog by Tim Lebbon: ghost doggy!!! Who finds a body. Not much to this one but it's actually sort of wholesome, 3/5.
Cameo by Laura Purcell: a woman being killed by her mother's ghost. Purcell always writes period stories which made for a nice change in the collection, because most of the rest are modern day. This is a pretty classic ghost story without that much to make it stand out but it's well written and the ending is chilling, 4/5.
Lula-Belle by Catriona Ward: a woman is saved from a hate crime by the ghost of her evil sister. The violence in this one seemed pretty out of left field, unexpected and not totally believable. Trying to be too much, 2/5.
Front Row Rider by Muriel Gray: a woman sees a ghost on a roller coaster but actually it's , way too much going on in this. It's like every other line is a plot twist, 3/5.
A Haunting by John Connolly: a dying man sees the ghost of his dead wife in a hotel room. This one was sweet and a nice change of pace, 4/5.
My life in politics by MR Carey: a conservative politician's life overlaps with a sheltered young woman who hears spirits. Felt a bit heavy-handed, 3/5.
Frank, Hide by John Malerman: a man who killed his wife gets trapped in a "pocket dimension" room. Eh it was ok, 3/5.
The Chain Walk by Helen Grant: a man is swept away by the ocean, which is being possessed by the spirit of his dead wife. Another story that's alright but not particularly stand-out, 3/5.
The Adjoining Room by AK Benedict: a ghost in a hotel room steals people's skins. Actually really dark and creepy! I was taken aback. I'm not sure what all the grammar/punctuation bits were supposed to mean but the whole story was very compelling, 5/5.
The Ghost in the Glade by Kelley Armstrong: a bullied girl takes revenge and her victims are trapped in a fairy glade. Nice plot twist, I didn't see it coming, 4/5.
The Restoration by George Mann: a woman gets trapped in a painting. Nice writing, but this concept has been done before, 3/5.
One New Follower by Mark A Latham: a man sees a ghost in his photography. Very creepy, I thought this was very well done. 5/5
A Haunted House is a Wheel Upon Which Some are Broken by Paul Tremblay: a choose-your-own-adventure story about a childhood house. This is easily the best story in the collection and the only one that takes any liberties with form. Sad but mildly creepy anyway, the writing is very good and I loved the choice of format. 5/5
Halloo by Gemma Files: a woman is haunted by her past in her grandmother's old house. I was looking for more explanation than I got here. What exactly was going on? And then the end feels like gratuitous violence without any emotions behind it so I didn't feel a strong sense of horror. 3/5
The Marvelous Talking Machine by Alison Littlewood: another period piece about a "talking machine" maybe possessed by a ghost. This was a nice piece to finish the collection and is genuinely creepy. 4/5
Overall there were a lot of threes in this collection but also a handful of real standouts, and very few that struck me as real clunkers. Nice assortment for ghost story fans.
When We Fall, We Forget by Angela Slatter: A fallen angel kills a priest to get her daughter back. The bog body parts are very creepy but all the angel stuff got a bit convoluted, 4/5.
Tom Is In the Attic by Robert Shearman: a woman sees three ghosts named Tom who steal her soul (?) and also her teeth? I wanted more out of this, the ending felt a bit unsatisfying, 2/5.
20th Century Ghost by Joe Hill: an old movie theater is haunted by a girl who died there. I'd read this one before, it's a really solid ghost story. Good creepiness mixed with interesting real-life bits, 4/5.
A Man Walking His Dog by Tim Lebbon: ghost doggy!!! Who finds a body. Not much to this one but it's actually sort of wholesome, 3/5.
Cameo by Laura Purcell: a woman being killed by her mother's ghost. Purcell always writes period stories which made for a nice change in the collection, because most of the rest are modern day. This is a pretty classic ghost story without that much to make it stand out but it's well written and the ending is chilling, 4/5.
Lula-Belle by Catriona Ward: a woman is saved from a hate crime by the ghost of her evil sister. The violence in this one seemed pretty out of left field, unexpected and not totally believable. Trying to be too much, 2/5.
Front Row Rider by Muriel Gray: a woman sees a ghost on a roller coaster but actually it's , way too much going on in this. It's like every other line is a plot twist, 3/5.
A Haunting by John Connolly: a dying man sees the ghost of his dead wife in a hotel room. This one was sweet and a nice change of pace, 4/5.
My life in politics by MR Carey: a conservative politician's life overlaps with a sheltered young woman who hears spirits. Felt a bit heavy-handed, 3/5.
Frank, Hide by John Malerman: a man who killed his wife gets trapped in a "pocket dimension" room. Eh it was ok, 3/5.
The Chain Walk by Helen Grant: a man is swept away by the ocean, which is being possessed by the spirit of his dead wife. Another story that's alright but not particularly stand-out, 3/5.
The Adjoining Room by AK Benedict: a ghost in a hotel room steals people's skins. Actually really dark and creepy! I was taken aback. I'm not sure what all the grammar/punctuation bits were supposed to mean but the whole story was very compelling, 5/5.
The Ghost in the Glade by Kelley Armstrong: a bullied girl takes revenge and her victims are trapped in a fairy glade. Nice plot twist, I didn't see it coming, 4/5.
The Restoration by George Mann: a woman gets trapped in a painting. Nice writing, but this concept has been done before, 3/5.
One New Follower by Mark A Latham: a man sees a ghost in his photography. Very creepy, I thought this was very well done. 5/5
A Haunted House is a Wheel Upon Which Some are Broken by Paul Tremblay: a choose-your-own-adventure story about a childhood house. This is easily the best story in the collection and the only one that takes any liberties with form. Sad but mildly creepy anyway, the writing is very good and I loved the choice of format. 5/5
Halloo by Gemma Files: a woman is haunted by her past in her grandmother's old house. I was looking for more explanation than I got here. What exactly was going on? And then the end feels like gratuitous violence without any emotions behind it so I didn't feel a strong sense of horror. 3/5
The Marvelous Talking Machine by Alison Littlewood: another period piece about a "talking machine" maybe possessed by a ghost. This was a nice piece to finish the collection and is genuinely creepy. 4/5
Overall there were a lot of threes in this collection but also a handful of real standouts, and very few that struck me as real clunkers. Nice assortment for ghost story fans.
February 21, 2024
I am so picky with my ghost stories and these all really worked for me.
I think I saw this on Bookbub and because it was ghost oriented and had Paul Tremblay amongst the other authors, I threw my money at it and then it languished on my kindle for half a year.
Y'all, it was worth every bit of that $2 on sale and it's a bit more now but still worth the price, in my miserly opinion.
Looking back on my notes (I have to take notes on short stories because once I've read them, they immediately vacate my brain), I think my favorite was The Ghost in the Glade by Kelley Armstrong. It would make a really good movie; there's a lot of plot there.
I threw money at this specifically for Paul Tremblay. He's like a more nuanced, gentler John Saul. Much to my disappointment, his story was written like a Choose Your Own Adventure. I've never liked that format as my brain doesn't like making decisions and I'll focus on that rather than the writing. However, it turns out that this is a really nice format for exploring a haunted house, especially when each room is haunted. I definitely wouldn't like it if it was a full novel but it really worked for a short story.
20th Century Ghost by Joe Hill was also a really solid story with a satisfying ending. It was spooky but also really heartfelt. I think I need to check out some more stories by Joe Hill, if y'all have any suggestions.
Lastly, My Life in Politics by M.R. Carey made for an interesting read with a just ending that felt relevant. I liked the ironic elements in that the character and the reader are experiencing a completely different story and it was very effective.
Really, the vast majority of the stories were great and if you like ghosties and hauntings, this is a great book to add to your collection. I was pleasantly surprised.
I think I saw this on Bookbub and because it was ghost oriented and had Paul Tremblay amongst the other authors, I threw my money at it and then it languished on my kindle for half a year.
Y'all, it was worth every bit of that $2 on sale and it's a bit more now but still worth the price, in my miserly opinion.
Looking back on my notes (I have to take notes on short stories because once I've read them, they immediately vacate my brain), I think my favorite was The Ghost in the Glade by Kelley Armstrong. It would make a really good movie; there's a lot of plot there.
I threw money at this specifically for Paul Tremblay. He's like a more nuanced, gentler John Saul. Much to my disappointment, his story was written like a Choose Your Own Adventure. I've never liked that format as my brain doesn't like making decisions and I'll focus on that rather than the writing. However, it turns out that this is a really nice format for exploring a haunted house, especially when each room is haunted. I definitely wouldn't like it if it was a full novel but it really worked for a short story.
20th Century Ghost by Joe Hill was also a really solid story with a satisfying ending. It was spooky but also really heartfelt. I think I need to check out some more stories by Joe Hill, if y'all have any suggestions.
Lastly, My Life in Politics by M.R. Carey made for an interesting read with a just ending that felt relevant. I liked the ironic elements in that the character and the reader are experiencing a completely different story and it was very effective.
Really, the vast majority of the stories were great and if you like ghosties and hauntings, this is a great book to add to your collection. I was pleasantly surprised.
January 1, 2024
Phantoms and Ghosts have fascinated us for centuries. Everyone, it seems, has a story to tell, som ething they have been involved in, something they have felt, or seen. This anthology covers a wide spectrum of such stories, many of them memorable. It's a solid anthology with some recognizable names and titles.
The first that stuck with me was an old friend, 20th Centurey Ghost by Joe Hill. The sense of nostalgia, love of films, and the melancholy presentation are unforgettable. Very much enjoyed revisiting this.
CAMEO by Laura Purcell, is a slow burn... a story of caste and family, long rejection and the hoipe of redemption... and tragedy. This is a wonderful example of a traditional ghost story.
The Adjoining Room by A. K. Benedict was an intriguing twist on a traditional horror theme. Again, that feel of melancholy and desire. Very traditional ghost story, and I find that this type of tale is the strength of the anthology. It will stick withe me.
The Restoration by George Mann is a sort of homage to Dorian Grey and very intriguing... again, not a new concept for a ghost story, but a new twist on an older one, familiar... and yet... memorable.
One New Follower by Mark A. Latham has the feel of an indie horror movie. It scrolls like that kind of plot, images that flicker through your mind, vivid descriptions... strange places... probably the least traditional phantom story in the anthology.
This is an overall strong collection with work by a lot of familiar names, and a theme that remains constant without becoming predictable. Highly recommended.
The first that stuck with me was an old friend, 20th Centurey Ghost by Joe Hill. The sense of nostalgia, love of films, and the melancholy presentation are unforgettable. Very much enjoyed revisiting this.
CAMEO by Laura Purcell, is a slow burn... a story of caste and family, long rejection and the hoipe of redemption... and tragedy. This is a wonderful example of a traditional ghost story.
The Adjoining Room by A. K. Benedict was an intriguing twist on a traditional horror theme. Again, that feel of melancholy and desire. Very traditional ghost story, and I find that this type of tale is the strength of the anthology. It will stick withe me.
The Restoration by George Mann is a sort of homage to Dorian Grey and very intriguing... again, not a new concept for a ghost story, but a new twist on an older one, familiar... and yet... memorable.
One New Follower by Mark A. Latham has the feel of an indie horror movie. It scrolls like that kind of plot, images that flicker through your mind, vivid descriptions... strange places... probably the least traditional phantom story in the anthology.
This is an overall strong collection with work by a lot of familiar names, and a theme that remains constant without becoming predictable. Highly recommended.
June 16, 2021
Read this quite fast and was pleased that this anthology contains lots of ghost stories written by women. Most of the stories were okay and good to read. Some were a little predictable (but then, of course, there are popular horror tropes that tend to get used quite often).
My favourite story was "A Haunted House is a Wheel upon Which Some are Broken" by Paul Tremblay because it's written as a Choose Your Own Adventure book (even the page numbers match), and it highlights that the memories collected in a house and revisited there can be more intense hauntings than the ghosts of fiction, and I love that by "playing" a room several times (either in a sequence or by choosing your path so that it leads back there in a loop), the way that hauntings repeat themselves is also simulated.
My least favourite story (by far) was "Halloo" by Gemma Files, because I think that portraying a neurodiverse LGBTQIA+ character as evil or susceptible to evil influences (like, ahem, "voices") is a very bad thing to do in a story. There are enough negative characterisations of neurodiverse and/or LGBTQIA+ people in fiction, and it's seriously time for a change - both for the sake of public representation and to give readers who might identify with these characters a story with a bit of closure, hope, and/or positivity.
My favourite story was "A Haunted House is a Wheel upon Which Some are Broken" by Paul Tremblay because it's written as a Choose Your Own Adventure book (even the page numbers match), and it highlights that the memories collected in a house and revisited there can be more intense hauntings than the ghosts of fiction, and I love that by "playing" a room several times (either in a sequence or by choosing your path so that it leads back there in a loop), the way that hauntings repeat themselves is also simulated.
My least favourite story (by far) was "Halloo" by Gemma Files, because I think that portraying a neurodiverse LGBTQIA+ character as evil or susceptible to evil influences (like, ahem, "voices") is a very bad thing to do in a story. There are enough negative characterisations of neurodiverse and/or LGBTQIA+ people in fiction, and it's seriously time for a change - both for the sake of public representation and to give readers who might identify with these characters a story with a bit of closure, hope, and/or positivity.
September 18, 2020
(5)
I think the most important part of a short story is instant engagement w the reader and that element was so hit and miss in this collection.
Cameo and Front Row Rider were my favourite stories and there were a fair few others I enjoyed, but just as many that I didn't.
Also knowing that all the stories were in this book due to containing some kind of phantom meant that a lot of the twist endings were kind of obvious bc a ghost had to turn up somewhere - that's literally the point of this anthology.
Yeah basically I found a lot of this boring and the good parts aren't good enough to outweight that.
I think the most important part of a short story is instant engagement w the reader and that element was so hit and miss in this collection.
Cameo and Front Row Rider were my favourite stories and there were a fair few others I enjoyed, but just as many that I didn't.
Also knowing that all the stories were in this book due to containing some kind of phantom meant that a lot of the twist endings were kind of obvious bc a ghost had to turn up somewhere - that's literally the point of this anthology.
Yeah basically I found a lot of this boring and the good parts aren't good enough to outweight that.
April 7, 2019
Phantoms: Haunting Tales from Masters of the Genre
This is the first book of short stories that I have read for this challenge. I'm not usually a fan of the short story, I like to really get my teeth into a story and know much more detail but some of these stories were pretty good. As the copy I have is signed by all the authors I will be keeping the book but I doubt it will be one that I come back to again and again.
This is the first book of short stories that I have read for this challenge. I'm not usually a fan of the short story, I like to really get my teeth into a story and know much more detail but some of these stories were pretty good. As the copy I have is signed by all the authors I will be keeping the book but I doubt it will be one that I come back to again and again.
January 26, 2021
This is a collection of many short horror stories that, like what the title suggests, involve phantoms (either real or imagined). Many of the stories were vague and/or offered no explanation for what happened, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and cheated of my time. But there were also a few that were quite good, including one with a twist ending that totally caught me by surprise. If you would like to read specifically about phantoms, this might be a book to consider... if you can put up with the mediocrity of the bulk of the content.
March 19, 2021
A nice collection of ghost stories, mostly set in the current time period. I enjoy stories like these because they're not full of gory, grotesque details, but use atmosphere to convey the sense of horror and creepiness. My favourites were "20th Century Ghost", "Cameo", "Front Row Rider" and "The Ghost in the Glade". A few, like "Frank, Hide", "The Chain Walk", and "The Marvellous Talking Machine" just didn't have enough of a payoff at the end, however. And "The Adjoining Room" just left me thinking "wtf"?
December 24, 2021
This is an anthology and as such its greatest strength is also its biggest flaw. Some stories were great, and genuinely left me wanting more. Some, however were just plain weird. I get that every single person is different and what I found to be frankly poor - will appeal to someone else. Most stories were good. But left me wanting more.... the others im afraid I was releaved to finish.
April 26, 2023
Disappointingly insipid, especially with the editor's juicy introduction, of a group of supposedly scary tales from currently popular writers. Well, popular doesn't especially mean good, and many of these stories not only were not scary but were also pretty badly written. There is more art to short stories than novels, and I am not certain that these popular writers were up to the task.
October 6, 2023
A mix of very good stories and very bad. The very good were When We Fall, We Forget, 20th Century Ghost, Tom is in the Attic, Front Row Rider, and The Adjoining Room. The very bad were Halloo, A Haunted House is a Wheel, My Life in Politics, The Chain Walk, and the pointless The Marvellous Talking Machine.
January 1, 2020
Love these stories
These are some of the best stories I have ever read. They all had me pausing after each one to reflect on what I had just read. I wish I hadn't read this book so I could read it again for the first time.
These are some of the best stories I have ever read. They all had me pausing after each one to reflect on what I had just read. I wish I hadn't read this book so I could read it again for the first time.
April 19, 2021
Really solid horror anthology. I really enjoyed almost every story. My favourites were:
20th Century Ghost, by Joe Hill, Cameo, by Laura Purcell, Front Row Rider, by Muriel Grey, The Adjoining Room, by A.K Benedict, The Ghost in the Glade, by Kelly Armstrong, and The Restoration, by George Mann.
20th Century Ghost, by Joe Hill, Cameo, by Laura Purcell, Front Row Rider, by Muriel Grey, The Adjoining Room, by A.K Benedict, The Ghost in the Glade, by Kelly Armstrong, and The Restoration, by George Mann.
partly-read-anthologies
May 17, 2021Only read "The Ghost in the Glade" by Kelley Armstrong
4 stars
A young girl meets the ghost of another girl her age in the forest on her family's property. All this ghost seems to want is some company, but the story of how she came to be a ghost in the first place packs some surprises.
4 stars
A young girl meets the ghost of another girl her age in the forest on her family's property. All this ghost seems to want is some company, but the story of how she came to be a ghost in the first place packs some surprises.
October 27, 2022
Ghost stories.
The short Story: A Haunted House is a wheel Upon Which Some are Broken by Paul Trembly was a solid 5 star for me. I loved the writing style of this one, it was written as a "choose your adventure" type of story.
The short Story: A Haunted House is a wheel Upon Which Some are Broken by Paul Trembly was a solid 5 star for me. I loved the writing style of this one, it was written as a "choose your adventure" type of story.
November 24, 2018
Some really good stories, some rather predictable and some were not haunting at all. Still an interesting mix.
November 19, 2021
The Ghost in the Glade was my favorite story.
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