What do you think?
Rate this book
Lac Du Mort and Other Stories
From the macabre to the deeply disturbing, Lac Du Mort and Other Stories delivers eight chilling tales that will please lovers of horror and dark fiction.
57 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2018
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Van Leerdam
20 books171 followersJoanne Van Leerdam is a poet and author of short stories. Her body of work consists of aix poetry collections, one general short story collection, a play, four collections of horror short stories, and a contribution to several anthologies.
When she's not writing, Joanne is a teacher of English, History and Drama/Production. She is an active member and performer in her local theatre company.
Her hobbies include reading, photography, and music.
She is proud to be both an Australian and an honorary Canadian.
She does like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain.
When she's not writing, Joanne is a teacher of English, History and Drama/Production. She is an active member and performer in her local theatre company.
Her hobbies include reading, photography, and music.
She is proud to be both an Australian and an honorary Canadian.
She does like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 10, 2019
This was fun! Lots of short creepy stories, something I am particularly fond of. 😉 As a horror writer myself, I'm always glad to pick up anything scary.
I especially liked the story about the guy stuck in the window and the one about the trail. And the flatemate one was awesome!
The writing is nice, and pretty simplistic, which I really liked. It was perfect for the size of the stories.
& This really has nothing to do with the stories themselves, but the paperback version is so freaking tiny and cute! 😍 Just perfect for sticking in a purse or bag for quick reading.
Highly recommended for fans of scary and short stories. You should totally get it in paperback. It's adorable. 😋
I especially liked the story about the guy stuck in the window and the one about the trail. And the flatemate one was awesome!
The writing is nice, and pretty simplistic, which I really liked. It was perfect for the size of the stories.
& This really has nothing to do with the stories themselves, but the paperback version is so freaking tiny and cute! 😍 Just perfect for sticking in a purse or bag for quick reading.
Highly recommended for fans of scary and short stories. You should totally get it in paperback. It's adorable. 😋
September 30, 2018
Joanne Van Leerdam is a talented wordsmith and these short stories do a fine job of showcasing her vivid prose and keen eye for the macabre. The terrors within are (for the most part) imaginative and well-crafted, and described in such detail that it is easy—and occasionally uncomfortable—to envision the horrible scenarios as they occur.
If these stories have a flaw, it is that they focus too heavily upon the ghastly outcomes and not enough on the characters who are fated to endure them. Generally speaking, these stories have no protagonists…only victims. If the author had expanded upon the characters, established their motivations and desires and histories, it would have been easier to feel empathy as their tragic stories slid towards their inevitably gruesome end.
If these stories have a flaw, it is that they focus too heavily upon the ghastly outcomes and not enough on the characters who are fated to endure them. Generally speaking, these stories have no protagonists…only victims. If the author had expanded upon the characters, established their motivations and desires and histories, it would have been easier to feel empathy as their tragic stories slid towards their inevitably gruesome end.
March 8, 2019
A cool, creepy collection of short stories that will raise the hair at the back of your neck. Some truly terrifying descriptive imagery and eerie situations that had me checking over my shoulder and moving to a bright room after reading! Van Leerdam masterfully weaves tales of horror from grisly to fantasy-based. I think my favorite was the first—Lac Du Mort—for its simplicity and poetic language and the slow build as we are drawn into the setting of what at first seems so innocent a scene… and later turns out to be something else entirely. Gosh darn those sirens! These are varied and imaginative.
Trigger Warnings:
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
Trigger Warnings:
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
September 9, 2018
Mistress of the Macabre!
The subject of “death” in all of its macabre depictions becomes Joanne Van Leerdam--hence, my title of veneration. Her collection of eight stories in the genres of horror and dark fiction rival those penned by Edgar Allan Poe for the spine-tingling and flesh-crawling sensations they invoke in the reader.
Queasy, but never cheesy, each story delivers a lethal dose of unimaginable and imaginative gruesomeness, eloquently and effectively written. Without robbing potential readers of a thrill by handing them a spoiler on a silver platter as to what is transpiring, or from what story, I will sparingly regurgitate a few words to prove my point:
“…empty eye sockets stared back, bloodied wells in a face that had lost most of its skin and flesh. Her mouth lay open in a grim, silent scream, white teeth exposed, still set firmly into bare and bloodied gums.”
Joanne Van Leerdam, Mistress of the Macabre, also purveys a perverse sense of humor in her storytelling by tickling our funny bone with spidery fingers to elicit nervous chuckles.
I highly recommend this well-written, top-shelf collection of short stories which turns the staid precepts of horror/dark fiction on its crushed skull!
The subject of “death” in all of its macabre depictions becomes Joanne Van Leerdam--hence, my title of veneration. Her collection of eight stories in the genres of horror and dark fiction rival those penned by Edgar Allan Poe for the spine-tingling and flesh-crawling sensations they invoke in the reader.
Queasy, but never cheesy, each story delivers a lethal dose of unimaginable and imaginative gruesomeness, eloquently and effectively written. Without robbing potential readers of a thrill by handing them a spoiler on a silver platter as to what is transpiring, or from what story, I will sparingly regurgitate a few words to prove my point:
“…empty eye sockets stared back, bloodied wells in a face that had lost most of its skin and flesh. Her mouth lay open in a grim, silent scream, white teeth exposed, still set firmly into bare and bloodied gums.”
Joanne Van Leerdam, Mistress of the Macabre, also purveys a perverse sense of humor in her storytelling by tickling our funny bone with spidery fingers to elicit nervous chuckles.
I highly recommend this well-written, top-shelf collection of short stories which turns the staid precepts of horror/dark fiction on its crushed skull!
September 17, 2018
“Lac Du Mort And Other Stories”, Author Joanne Van Leerdam’s latest journey into the macabre, contains 8 spine-chilling horror shorts you can savor in just a single evening. Readers will find Van Leerdam’s tales more than meet their yearning for a good fright—with each macabre telling as dramatic and terrifying as the next. The author elaborates on the theme that, once Death tags you, there is little to no recourse you can take in trying to change your fate.
Van Leerdam’s keen sense of humor only compliments her ability as a horror author to keep one on the edge of their seat. Her quiet and quintessential cul-de-sac might be a model for any neighborhood—containing its share of characters that range from the respectable to the pathetic… and the truly despicable, but readers will find that this neighborhood is anything but typical. From start to finish, Van Leerdam’s characters move through the stages of grief—from denial, to anger, to bargaining, and finally to acceptance—in a pulse-pounding dance that seals their fates. In the end, these seemingly random stories of neighbors coping with various random paranormal events all wind together in an overall theme that is unveiled only at the very end.
I highly recommend this compact collection of imaginative horror shorts that only takes about an hour to read, and I suggest it might best be appreciated on a dark and chilling night with a full moon overhead!
Van Leerdam’s keen sense of humor only compliments her ability as a horror author to keep one on the edge of their seat. Her quiet and quintessential cul-de-sac might be a model for any neighborhood—containing its share of characters that range from the respectable to the pathetic… and the truly despicable, but readers will find that this neighborhood is anything but typical. From start to finish, Van Leerdam’s characters move through the stages of grief—from denial, to anger, to bargaining, and finally to acceptance—in a pulse-pounding dance that seals their fates. In the end, these seemingly random stories of neighbors coping with various random paranormal events all wind together in an overall theme that is unveiled only at the very end.
I highly recommend this compact collection of imaginative horror shorts that only takes about an hour to read, and I suggest it might best be appreciated on a dark and chilling night with a full moon overhead!
March 21, 2019
OMG! This is horror at its finest!
Not many people can pull off a decent horror story, but this author sure can. You have tales of redemption, and just downright horror.
Each of the short stories had their merits, and I can honestly say that I had trouble picking a favourite, so I'll just go on the record and say that I enjoyed each one in a different way.
I like films like Creep Show and tales from the Crypt, and can really imagine this book as a film in my head. How sick and twisted is that?
If you like horror stories, then you will love this book, and defy you not to hide behind a cushion while reading it. I'll be sure to read some more stories by this author as she is now on my list of favourites.
Not many people can pull off a decent horror story, but this author sure can. You have tales of redemption, and just downright horror.
Each of the short stories had their merits, and I can honestly say that I had trouble picking a favourite, so I'll just go on the record and say that I enjoyed each one in a different way.
I like films like Creep Show and tales from the Crypt, and can really imagine this book as a film in my head. How sick and twisted is that?
If you like horror stories, then you will love this book, and defy you not to hide behind a cushion while reading it. I'll be sure to read some more stories by this author as she is now on my list of favourites.
October 31, 2018
Mistress of the Macabre, Indeed
I’ve heard Joanne Van Leerdam referred to as the Mistress of the Macabre. This collection of short horror stories is Halloween proof that her title is fully earned.
“Lac Du Mort and Other Stories” consists of eight spine chilling tales that will leave you with your head spinning and your hair standing on end. My personal favorite was Flat Mate, an eerie tale of, well, I’ll let you read for yourself. Suffice it to say that I gave a verbalized, “Oh, no she didn’t.” I’ve always been a fan of Van Leerdam’s poetry and her Friday shorts, but this collection catapults her into an all new level.
Mistress of the Macabre, Indeed.
I’ve heard Joanne Van Leerdam referred to as the Mistress of the Macabre. This collection of short horror stories is Halloween proof that her title is fully earned.
“Lac Du Mort and Other Stories” consists of eight spine chilling tales that will leave you with your head spinning and your hair standing on end. My personal favorite was Flat Mate, an eerie tale of, well, I’ll let you read for yourself. Suffice it to say that I gave a verbalized, “Oh, no she didn’t.” I’ve always been a fan of Van Leerdam’s poetry and her Friday shorts, but this collection catapults her into an all new level.
Mistress of the Macabre, Indeed.
April 28, 2019
I just finished Lac Du Mort and Other Stories by Joanne Van Leerdam. I see that she is also a poet and that is not surprising. It's often a special treat as it was, in this case, to read short stories, or even longer works, by authors who are poets or who also write poetry as their ear is fine-tuned to the nuances of words and the effects their echoes may have within us. Such is the case in Ms. Leerdam's stories. I especially noted the skill she displayed in knowing just how gentle the touch of terror needed to be at the end of each story in relation to its length. And in each case she stopped at just the right moment leaving me suddenly breathless, shivering in wonder and delight and quickly turning the page to the next tale that I might be seduced again.
I think this is a book you may want to have in paperback so that you can come back to it and read it at different ages or in different seasons as you may discover facets you overlooked on the first reading or techniques you didn't appreciate the first time. Maybe a good book to discuss with friends.
I think this is a book you may want to have in paperback so that you can come back to it and read it at different ages or in different seasons as you may discover facets you overlooked on the first reading or techniques you didn't appreciate the first time. Maybe a good book to discuss with friends.
February 21, 2019
A little read, enjoyable for a sit down wintery afternoon. A dark tale it is but tastefully written that Poe and other fans of this genre would appreciate. Well-written from the talented hand of Van Leerdam, come the macabre with just enough tension to create interest and keep the reader involved but not too much as to be off-putting. That’s the mark of a good author—to toe the line where the storyline is not compromised. 8 horror stories woven together in descriptive and novel scenes that burning haunting emotions from the pages with descriptions like “frosted glass crunched underfoot” to “a deep chill ran through his veins” made me feel cold and yes a little anxious but then isn’t that what stories are supposed to do; invite the reader in and hold him there right up to the satisfying ending. Well done to the talented author.
May 7, 2019
What can I say? When Ms. Van Leerdam chooses to write horror, she does it extremely well, whether using a cat as her instrument of delivering justice in a comedically ghoulish manner, or having Fate, magic, or something else determine your end for you.
In Lac Du Mort, we have a number of short stories where people meet their maker in rather grisly fashion, but what interested me more was the buildup to the demise, not the demise itself. This is something Ms. Van Leerdam excels at doing. Basically, once the Grim Reaper has you on his list (or her list, let's get equal here) there ain't much you can do about it, and the author milks each story out for the very best in suspense.
Worth it, totally worth it.
In Lac Du Mort, we have a number of short stories where people meet their maker in rather grisly fashion, but what interested me more was the buildup to the demise, not the demise itself. This is something Ms. Van Leerdam excels at doing. Basically, once the Grim Reaper has you on his list (or her list, let's get equal here) there ain't much you can do about it, and the author milks each story out for the very best in suspense.
Worth it, totally worth it.
March 18, 2019
This is a creepy little collection of short stories that are very well written. The imagery is stunning and adds to the ambiance of the story. The stories range from old myths like sirens to disturbing tales of criminals getting their come uppance. The Siren story and Evan's story were my favorite. I love reading about sirens, but I've never read about them in a frozen lake before, so this was a new twist. Evan's story was just creepy and I'd like to think that fate awaits anyone who would hurt children
April 6, 2019
This was an enjoyable read, good writing and a degree of satisfying creepiness. Some of the stories felt like they were more of an excerpt of a larger story, while others felt more complete. This did not detract from the reader's enjoyment. It is just an observation. I particularly enjoyed the seventh story in this collection, The Trial of Evan Stone, with its dose of well-served social justice - a fitting fate indeed. Overall, this collection will satisfy a horror fan's need for a quick horror fix.
May 25, 2019
Poetic and Morbid
As a fan of Van Leerdam’s poetry, I have to admit I was a little bit wary about horror stories. But she nailed it. With dark, poetic language, and a touch of humor, these stories create an atmosphere of morbidity that is sure to delight. Eight short stories of terror, each which stands on its own, have a common theme of death knocking on your front door.
Fans of Edgar Allen Poe will love this collection!
As a fan of Van Leerdam’s poetry, I have to admit I was a little bit wary about horror stories. But she nailed it. With dark, poetic language, and a touch of humor, these stories create an atmosphere of morbidity that is sure to delight. Eight short stories of terror, each which stands on its own, have a common theme of death knocking on your front door.
Fans of Edgar Allen Poe will love this collection!
July 3, 2021
Lac du Mort and Other Stories is a compilation of tales which are mystical, magical, sometimes eerie and often morbid. The entire collection is intense and chilling. They feature a wide variety of short stories with seemingly normal settings until the unexpected occurs. The stories are expertly written and very descriptive. A fantastic addition to every library. Thrills and chills on every page. Highly Recommended!
March 6, 2019
Lac Du Mort and Other Stories by Joanne Van Leerdam
This collection of short horror stories is an absolute must-read. Well written, frightening, and with a splash of humour, Lac Du Mort and Other Stories covers a range of topics. This is a fairly quick read, perfect for a dark evening. My personal favourites were Lac Du Mort, and The Trial of Evan Stoane, but each story was great. 4 Stars
This collection of short horror stories is an absolute must-read. Well written, frightening, and with a splash of humour, Lac Du Mort and Other Stories covers a range of topics. This is a fairly quick read, perfect for a dark evening. My personal favourites were Lac Du Mort, and The Trial of Evan Stoane, but each story was great. 4 Stars
November 8, 2019
I am never disappointed; she is one of my favorite authors. Creativity and wit make these tales more than just creepy. The ending of Flat Mate left me stunned. I thought about the ending over and over again. That and Lac Du Morte were my favorites. These tales are short and scary and very perfect for a night of reading.
September 27, 2018
Shocking in a great way
Well written, fresh horror grabbing at the reader from a the first story. A few tales stab at the mind, some tear away at blood and bone. We get one visit to hell. I am a fan.
Well written, fresh horror grabbing at the reader from a the first story. A few tales stab at the mind, some tear away at blood and bone. We get one visit to hell. I am a fan.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews