What do you think?
Rate this book
Three Truths and Other Unsettling Tales
Seven unsettling stories that will wrap themselves around the lobes of your brain and refuse to let go. These twisted tales run the course from outright horror all the way to dark humor. Meet Danel, an ancient warrior with a friend, a wife, a demon, and a problem. Come witness Brady Hollis, the man who fell forty-seven floors and lived. Introduce yourself to Candyboot, the ignoble imp with an attitude. All these characters and more loom ahead - all from the author of The Seer of Possibilities. Can you handle the twisted endings and unexpected resolutions?
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
101 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2019
30 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 18, 2020
My rating 4.7
“Three Truths and Other Unsettling Tales” by Thomas O. is a great collection of short stories that I’ve sincerely read with pleasure. The stories are different and are set in different genres, from the historical, fantasy, and imaginary worlds, but everything is connected by one link, and that is horror. These are not stories that will stop your heart as you read, these are stories about the human psyche and choice, as in life you can choose between good and evil or less good and less evil. But in the end, you always have to pay the price, one way or another. There is a moral lesson in every story. If you are a fan of short stories, and you love horror, I think you will like this collection.
“Three Truths and Other Unsettling Tales” by Thomas O. is a great collection of short stories that I’ve sincerely read with pleasure. The stories are different and are set in different genres, from the historical, fantasy, and imaginary worlds, but everything is connected by one link, and that is horror. These are not stories that will stop your heart as you read, these are stories about the human psyche and choice, as in life you can choose between good and evil or less good and less evil. But in the end, you always have to pay the price, one way or another. There is a moral lesson in every story. If you are a fan of short stories, and you love horror, I think you will like this collection.
February 4, 2020
I didn’t quite know what I was getting into when I first started reading this collection on a whim, but I discovered that I very much enjoyed this anthology of short stories. So much so, I’ve written the longest review of my life. Five stars? I’ll give this story six.
. . .
The first, Three Truths, is reminiscent of fables that caution against dealings with the Devil and other such moral lessons. Baal, the demon/fallen deity, reminded me strongly of an evil genie, and I like the spin on the three wishes. It was a very quick read and drew me in deeper the more I kept reading, with an interesting path of twists and turns I didn’t see coming. The characters weren’t defined in great depth and detail, but that didn’t bother me as much due to the length of the story—bulking the story with descriptions and backstory would only slow down the pace—and especially because of my acceptance of it as a sort of fable, in which characters are supposed to be rather flat because the theme itself has the most precedence.
With Bzzz, the second story, Thomas O. again does a fantastic job situating us into the story with just the necessary amount of exposition and setting. The narrative again flowed quickly and this time, perhaps because of the more modern setting and a familiar situation (ordinary guy goes with beloved girl to meet kooky dad-in-law), I felt more connection to the protagonist—and empathized with his unease, uncertainty, trepidation, disgust, and horror at what was happening to him. well, let’s just say Stephen King would be proud. This one left me with goosebumps. I expect I’ll be flinching when hearing a bee or a fly until I manage to forget this.
The third story keeps up the promising pattern of the first two: the perfect amount of backdrop is presented and the story begins. It’s a longer story, and the character development of our narrator is richer, just as it should be, although this too reminded me of a fable. Our introduction to Corbin is priceless—an awesome blend of unease (“I noticed, by the pale green light of my digital clock, that someone was standing at the foot of my bed”) and dark humor (“boy, you ain’t getting an Atari from me”)—and, from that, I didn’t quite realize how dark the story would get. With an intriguing cast of characters and a plot line that thickens and just gets stranger and stranger, Thomas O. does a fine job of maintaining the delicate blend of horror and dark humor. I will mostly surely continue to stay away from old houses.
The Grim Melody opens with a fabulous opening line. Excellent structure of action and dialogue keep the pace brisk for this story, too. I was curious and a bit skeptical when Brady freaked out about his weird hospital visitor but was completely unfazed and accepting of his superhuman okay-ness after falling from the tower. But, as in the first and third stories of this anthology, there seems to be a pattern of choice and sacrifice here. The most chilling scene for me was the scene with the crib/oven. In this story, things aren’t what they seem. Thomas O. folds up his story in secrets like wrapping a present and then, halfway through, begins slowly peeling back those layers. Ultimately everything makes sense. Suddenly the humanity and surrealism of this story are at once very real and raw. I absolutely loved this story. If you choose one story, Thomas O., to expand into a novel—someday perhaps sell as a movie—please let it be this one.
The Beast introduces us to yet another world, one where men hunt werewolves. The stakes are high as our protagonists hunt down the last of the werewolves. The story builds up to the point where betrayal seems inevitable, but its catalyst is blurry enough that you’ve got to keep reading. With Candyboot, we’re back in our world. The imp reminded me of Puss in Boots, perhaps due to his name, size, and devil-may-care reputation, but he turns out to be a far more cynical and vicious version in a modern-day setting. Insects amplify the horror here as well, albeit less lethally. Going Home starts strong, transitioning us effortlessly from the mindset of a teen to that of an old man. When James gets into the car, I’m ready for a ride and deliciously nervous about the journey. It’s a chilling and heartwarming one all at once, and I’m not disappointed I joined in.
. . .
The first, Three Truths, is reminiscent of fables that caution against dealings with the Devil and other such moral lessons. Baal, the demon/fallen deity, reminded me strongly of an evil genie, and I like the spin on the three wishes. It was a very quick read and drew me in deeper the more I kept reading, with an interesting path of twists and turns I didn’t see coming. The characters weren’t defined in great depth and detail, but that didn’t bother me as much due to the length of the story—bulking the story with descriptions and backstory would only slow down the pace—and especially because of my acceptance of it as a sort of fable, in which characters are supposed to be rather flat because the theme itself has the most precedence.
With Bzzz, the second story, Thomas O. again does a fantastic job situating us into the story with just the necessary amount of exposition and setting. The narrative again flowed quickly and this time, perhaps because of the more modern setting and a familiar situation (ordinary guy goes with beloved girl to meet kooky dad-in-law), I felt more connection to the protagonist—and empathized with his unease, uncertainty, trepidation, disgust, and horror at what was happening to him. well, let’s just say Stephen King would be proud. This one left me with goosebumps. I expect I’ll be flinching when hearing a bee or a fly until I manage to forget this.
The third story keeps up the promising pattern of the first two: the perfect amount of backdrop is presented and the story begins. It’s a longer story, and the character development of our narrator is richer, just as it should be, although this too reminded me of a fable. Our introduction to Corbin is priceless—an awesome blend of unease (“I noticed, by the pale green light of my digital clock, that someone was standing at the foot of my bed”) and dark humor (“boy, you ain’t getting an Atari from me”)—and, from that, I didn’t quite realize how dark the story would get. With an intriguing cast of characters and a plot line that thickens and just gets stranger and stranger, Thomas O. does a fine job of maintaining the delicate blend of horror and dark humor. I will mostly surely continue to stay away from old houses.
The Grim Melody opens with a fabulous opening line. Excellent structure of action and dialogue keep the pace brisk for this story, too. I was curious and a bit skeptical when Brady freaked out about his weird hospital visitor but was completely unfazed and accepting of his superhuman okay-ness after falling from the tower. But, as in the first and third stories of this anthology, there seems to be a pattern of choice and sacrifice here. The most chilling scene for me was the scene with the crib/oven. In this story, things aren’t what they seem. Thomas O. folds up his story in secrets like wrapping a present and then, halfway through, begins slowly peeling back those layers. Ultimately everything makes sense. Suddenly the humanity and surrealism of this story are at once very real and raw. I absolutely loved this story. If you choose one story, Thomas O., to expand into a novel—someday perhaps sell as a movie—please let it be this one.
The Beast introduces us to yet another world, one where men hunt werewolves. The stakes are high as our protagonists hunt down the last of the werewolves. The story builds up to the point where betrayal seems inevitable, but its catalyst is blurry enough that you’ve got to keep reading. With Candyboot, we’re back in our world. The imp reminded me of Puss in Boots, perhaps due to his name, size, and devil-may-care reputation, but he turns out to be a far more cynical and vicious version in a modern-day setting. Insects amplify the horror here as well, albeit less lethally. Going Home starts strong, transitioning us effortlessly from the mindset of a teen to that of an old man. When James gets into the car, I’m ready for a ride and deliciously nervous about the journey. It’s a chilling and heartwarming one all at once, and I’m not disappointed I joined in.
April 8, 2019
An Unsettling Collection of Stories
A collection of varied horror stories which mostly tended to stand more on the psychological than gore side of the genre (though Bzzz kind of crossed that line more than the others) and introduced some interesting settings and concepts.
What I Really Enjoyed:
I loved the variation in tone and setting. There are settings that range from fantasy to ‘real world’ and we get ghost stories and demonic. My favourite was probably ‘The Grim Melody’ which had a wonderful conceptual twist and close to a ‘happy ending’ as a true horror story could really have. Superb stuff!
What I Struggled With:
Some of the stories seemed to have a little excessive reportage style writing to set the scene, which made it more difficult to get into the story for me. This was particularly noticeable in Three Truths.
Overall:
Some very novel concepts make this an interesting collection for anyone who enjoys the horror genre.
A collection of varied horror stories which mostly tended to stand more on the psychological than gore side of the genre (though Bzzz kind of crossed that line more than the others) and introduced some interesting settings and concepts.
What I Really Enjoyed:
I loved the variation in tone and setting. There are settings that range from fantasy to ‘real world’ and we get ghost stories and demonic. My favourite was probably ‘The Grim Melody’ which had a wonderful conceptual twist and close to a ‘happy ending’ as a true horror story could really have. Superb stuff!
What I Struggled With:
Some of the stories seemed to have a little excessive reportage style writing to set the scene, which made it more difficult to get into the story for me. This was particularly noticeable in Three Truths.
Overall:
Some very novel concepts make this an interesting collection for anyone who enjoys the horror genre.
April 29, 2020
Fantastic set of stories ranging from terrifying to supernatural to the unknown. Each of Thomas O's stories are unique, with completely unexpected endings. Generally with short story compilations, there are one are two that stand out as superior, but I enjoyed every one of these. One of them even gave me a nightmare! Another made me nearly cry. I told my kids about it because it was simply beautiful.
If you are a fan of the unexplained, you will certainly enjoy these tales that are easy to read and told well. I read straight through each story, unable to put down. Well done.
If you are a fan of the unexplained, you will certainly enjoy these tales that are easy to read and told well. I read straight through each story, unable to put down. Well done.
March 11, 2019
Never trust a demon! That's a truth I learned from this collection. Seven enterprisingly imagined yet divergent tales showcase the imagination of author Thomas O. Fantasy, dark fantasy, and horror noir are here offered up for the delectation of readers and the inspiration of nightmares. Long after the book is finished, readers will wonder "Now just how did he come up with--"
July 5, 2019
Thomas O. tells a good story and he knows how to keep his reader’s attention. These are stories of psychological horror; O. relies more on cleverness rather than gore to scare his readers. Often the stories have a twist at the end, one which is surprising, though the reader recognizes it has been well prepared.
The title story takes the conventional notion of giving someone three wishes and then seeing them destroy themselves, and turns it into telling someone three truths and then seeing – well, no spoilers. The story that made the deepest impression on me was “Magda.” This was a longer story and the characters were more fully realized than those in other stories. Also, the narrative was scary, credible and compelling.
What keeps this from being a five star review is the use of language. While the writing is never less than competent, it also doesn’t try for more. Occasionally one has the feeling the word chosen might not have been quite the right one, and while the sounds of the sentences don’t clash, they are not always written to please the ear.
The tones and themes of the stories are admirably varied, so that the reader never feels like he’s had too much. If the current story is a little too dark, wait, the next one will have a shaft of light. This makes the book good reading material, and it held this reader from the first page to the last.
The title story takes the conventional notion of giving someone three wishes and then seeing them destroy themselves, and turns it into telling someone three truths and then seeing – well, no spoilers. The story that made the deepest impression on me was “Magda.” This was a longer story and the characters were more fully realized than those in other stories. Also, the narrative was scary, credible and compelling.
What keeps this from being a five star review is the use of language. While the writing is never less than competent, it also doesn’t try for more. Occasionally one has the feeling the word chosen might not have been quite the right one, and while the sounds of the sentences don’t clash, they are not always written to please the ear.
The tones and themes of the stories are admirably varied, so that the reader never feels like he’s had too much. If the current story is a little too dark, wait, the next one will have a shaft of light. This makes the book good reading material, and it held this reader from the first page to the last.
April 11, 2020
I’m going to talk about Candyboot, in particular.
Like most of his Thomas’ stories, it’s light, playful, dark, and twisted. Candyboot is something of an imp, a sprite, or a gremlin—that is to say, he’s mischievous magical character, with some evil intentions, but in a puss-in-boots sort of way.
He’s been coming around for 10 years now (making Evan 18 at the time of this appearance) once every few months, staying from a few hours to a few weeks, always causing some kind of practical joke, but nothing too serious.
This time, after an insult from Evan, he causes his most serious and “unsettling” event yet—a piñata bursting with bugs of all sorts.
I thought the pay off of the story, and the horror of the bugs crawling everywhere, could have been expanded upon, given more detail of the gruesome nature of that event, but other than that, I found the story charming and would be interested in more Candyboot stories, beyond just this short story.
Like most of his Thomas’ stories, it’s light, playful, dark, and twisted. Candyboot is something of an imp, a sprite, or a gremlin—that is to say, he’s mischievous magical character, with some evil intentions, but in a puss-in-boots sort of way.
He’s been coming around for 10 years now (making Evan 18 at the time of this appearance) once every few months, staying from a few hours to a few weeks, always causing some kind of practical joke, but nothing too serious.
This time, after an insult from Evan, he causes his most serious and “unsettling” event yet—a piñata bursting with bugs of all sorts.
I thought the pay off of the story, and the horror of the bugs crawling everywhere, could have been expanded upon, given more detail of the gruesome nature of that event, but other than that, I found the story charming and would be interested in more Candyboot stories, beyond just this short story.
July 8, 2019
For psychological thrills, goosebumps and horror, this book was a surprising read. Creating wonderful characters in diverse worlds with twisted endings is Thomas O.’s forte. An awesome collection.
February 1, 2019
Another great book from Thomas O filled with a collection of short creepy horrifying short stories. Liked it.
March 29, 2019
This wonderful collection had a nice mix of stories.
The first, titular tale, Three Truths, reminded me a lot of a fable. I had the feeling it would end with a hard lesson but was surprised by what it was.
Bzzz is precisely why I don't like summer and the outdoors. There was so much nope in that horrifying story.
I loved the tree tradition in Magda. However this wasn't a sweet holiday tale. This one was my favorite in the collection. I think that was because is was richer in character development. The way I came to care for Charley made it all the more powerful.
The Grim Melody all came together in an ending that I never saw coming. I really enjoyed the reasons for the little man tormenting Brady.
I loved the dilemma presented in The Beast of the Rurz Valley. While the end was satisfying it left room for expansion and I would love to see more in this world.
Candyboot was whimsical and gross, which made for a great combination.
Going home was a fun retelling of an urban legend and a fitting final story.
This collection will be a great pick for fans of all ranges of horror.
The first, titular tale, Three Truths, reminded me a lot of a fable. I had the feeling it would end with a hard lesson but was surprised by what it was.
Bzzz is precisely why I don't like summer and the outdoors. There was so much nope in that horrifying story.
I loved the tree tradition in Magda. However this wasn't a sweet holiday tale. This one was my favorite in the collection. I think that was because is was richer in character development. The way I came to care for Charley made it all the more powerful.
The Grim Melody all came together in an ending that I never saw coming. I really enjoyed the reasons for the little man tormenting Brady.
I loved the dilemma presented in The Beast of the Rurz Valley. While the end was satisfying it left room for expansion and I would love to see more in this world.
Candyboot was whimsical and gross, which made for a great combination.
Going home was a fun retelling of an urban legend and a fitting final story.
This collection will be a great pick for fans of all ranges of horror.
August 20, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyable quick read. I learned some things from Thomas. Never go to Alaska, never trust creepy caretakers, never stop doing what you love, never kill the last monster and always make sure your children come home safely. Will happily read other stories from this author!
March 2, 2019
**Received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review**
The best thing I liked about this book is that I had no nightmares despite reading the stories before going to bed.
There are seven short stories, each with a different theme.
The descriptions are vivid, yet there is nothing overly gruesome or horrible. I think the balance of suspense, terror, imagery, and horror has been maintained well in all the stories.
My favorite story would undoubtedly be The Grim Melody followed by Magda. (these two are also the longest of the stories).
The language is simple and easy to read without taking the light away from the storyline.
I did feel that the last story Going Home was a bit too small, but maybe, that's how the writer wanted it. The story still managed to pack a punch.
Overall, anybody looking for some not-so-nightmarish horror stories should definitely try this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
The best thing I liked about this book is that I had no nightmares despite reading the stories before going to bed.
There are seven short stories, each with a different theme.
The descriptions are vivid, yet there is nothing overly gruesome or horrible. I think the balance of suspense, terror, imagery, and horror has been maintained well in all the stories.
My favorite story would undoubtedly be The Grim Melody followed by Magda. (these two are also the longest of the stories).
The language is simple and easy to read without taking the light away from the storyline.
I did feel that the last story Going Home was a bit too small, but maybe, that's how the writer wanted it. The story still managed to pack a punch.
Overall, anybody looking for some not-so-nightmarish horror stories should definitely try this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
May 7, 2019
Three Truths and Other Unsettling Tales
by Thomas O.
Short stories can be difficult to get right. It can be really hard to capture the depth of characters or setting that I generally need to really dig into a story.
I also have to admit that I'm in a somewhat stressed out, scattered state lately and although I really needed the escape of a good book, I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep my attention on the stories.
Long story short, I went into this book with a little trepidation that I wouldn't even be able to focus because of my own shortcomings.However, even just the first story had me hooked!
The twists and turns, the variety of stories, I really found myself devouring the stories on after another. As each story ended, I found myself thinking, "Well surely THAT was the best story in the book!" only to find that the next was great as well. It is hard for me to write reviews on short stories without giving anything away, but trust me, these are wonderful.
I think my top favorite stories of this set are probably "Magda" and Three Truths.
Three Truths has the classic feel of drama, fate, magic and not just a little inner turmoil as the character has to make the hardest decision of his life. I haven't been able to stop thinking of this story, it is so thought-provoking... and I'll stop there so I don't give anything away.
'Magda' was my other favorite. An amazing story that pulled at the heartstrings, sent shivers down my spine and left me feeling a little haunted at the end.
I especially love that the stories are just long enough to be full of life and depth, but short enough to read in one sitting, even for someone as scattered and distracted as I am! Thomas does an incredible job of drawing you in and completely immersing you in each and every story.
by Thomas O.
Short stories can be difficult to get right. It can be really hard to capture the depth of characters or setting that I generally need to really dig into a story.
I also have to admit that I'm in a somewhat stressed out, scattered state lately and although I really needed the escape of a good book, I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep my attention on the stories.
Long story short, I went into this book with a little trepidation that I wouldn't even be able to focus because of my own shortcomings.However, even just the first story had me hooked!
The twists and turns, the variety of stories, I really found myself devouring the stories on after another. As each story ended, I found myself thinking, "Well surely THAT was the best story in the book!" only to find that the next was great as well. It is hard for me to write reviews on short stories without giving anything away, but trust me, these are wonderful.
I think my top favorite stories of this set are probably "Magda" and Three Truths.
Three Truths has the classic feel of drama, fate, magic and not just a little inner turmoil as the character has to make the hardest decision of his life. I haven't been able to stop thinking of this story, it is so thought-provoking... and I'll stop there so I don't give anything away.
'Magda' was my other favorite. An amazing story that pulled at the heartstrings, sent shivers down my spine and left me feeling a little haunted at the end.
I especially love that the stories are just long enough to be full of life and depth, but short enough to read in one sitting, even for someone as scattered and distracted as I am! Thomas does an incredible job of drawing you in and completely immersing you in each and every story.
August 23, 2019
This collection of seven short stories is great, and it really finds its footing at story number three: Magda. The first two shorts are not bad, per se, just... traditional? Perhaps "familiar" is a better word. Unless you've never seen an episode of The Twilight Zone or something similar, you'll probably know what is going to happen in both "Three Truths" and "Bzzz" within the first few paragraphs.
"Magda," though, is where the author seems to unleash his imagination, and I'm pleased to say that this imagination runs wild for the remainder of the book. Evocative of Joe Hill, "Magda" treats its readers to a Christmas-themed supernatural thriller. "The Grim Melody" features well written characters and fantastic prose. "The Beast" plays its hand a little early (you can tell there's a twist coming a mile away), but still manages to be surprising in its execution. "Candyboot," contrary to some other reviewers' opinions, was one of my favorites--it was funny! Its well-I'll-be-damned style, creativity, and cringe-worthy descriptions make it a winner in my book. And in a book with so many twists, it was kind of refreshing that Candyboot played it straight.
Finishing off the collection is "Going Home," which was also a winner. It was incredibly brief, but I think this speaks to the author's writing chops. It said everything it needed to say and was told in the perfect order.
All told, Three Truths is a fine collection of short stories. While rarely unsettling (In fact, I'd file the first two shorts under "unpleasant"), there's a lot of imagination on display here with skillful pacing and great execution where it matters most. It's sad, it's funny, it's weird, and it's worth your time.
"Magda," though, is where the author seems to unleash his imagination, and I'm pleased to say that this imagination runs wild for the remainder of the book. Evocative of Joe Hill, "Magda" treats its readers to a Christmas-themed supernatural thriller. "The Grim Melody" features well written characters and fantastic prose. "The Beast" plays its hand a little early (you can tell there's a twist coming a mile away), but still manages to be surprising in its execution. "Candyboot," contrary to some other reviewers' opinions, was one of my favorites--it was funny! Its well-I'll-be-damned style, creativity, and cringe-worthy descriptions make it a winner in my book. And in a book with so many twists, it was kind of refreshing that Candyboot played it straight.
Finishing off the collection is "Going Home," which was also a winner. It was incredibly brief, but I think this speaks to the author's writing chops. It said everything it needed to say and was told in the perfect order.
All told, Three Truths is a fine collection of short stories. While rarely unsettling (In fact, I'd file the first two shorts under "unpleasant"), there's a lot of imagination on display here with skillful pacing and great execution where it matters most. It's sad, it's funny, it's weird, and it's worth your time.
April 4, 2019
Each tale takes you on a terrific terrifying journey
This book was a compilation of tales that did an awesome job of pulling at several emotions at one time. Just when you were rooting for a character or side eyeing another a twist in the stories would whip you into another direction. I appreciated the authors careful construction of the plot and storytelling. If you like a good scare then a few of the tales will give you that. I felt like I was binge watching a favorite TV show in that it kept me page turning until the end. I don't want to give spoilers but my favorite was Bzzz (definitely not to be confused with tipsy) this story had me sleeping with one eye open, and I loved the irony. Magda, the trees got me ( scary tear jerker), and The Grim Melody. That last one will make you reflect on your own life and inspire you. And well Candyboot was just down right diabolical, don't let the candy in the title fool you. If I had to say anything about this book and it's seriously minor- some of the scene changes took stories to years in the future. I wished those stories were a stand alone book and all the juicy details were filled in. Other than that an awesome entertaining read. The author did a wonderful job of taking the reader on several hair-raising, unnerving, deliciously fearsome adventures!
This book was a compilation of tales that did an awesome job of pulling at several emotions at one time. Just when you were rooting for a character or side eyeing another a twist in the stories would whip you into another direction. I appreciated the authors careful construction of the plot and storytelling. If you like a good scare then a few of the tales will give you that. I felt like I was binge watching a favorite TV show in that it kept me page turning until the end. I don't want to give spoilers but my favorite was Bzzz (definitely not to be confused with tipsy) this story had me sleeping with one eye open, and I loved the irony. Magda, the trees got me ( scary tear jerker), and The Grim Melody. That last one will make you reflect on your own life and inspire you. And well Candyboot was just down right diabolical, don't let the candy in the title fool you. If I had to say anything about this book and it's seriously minor- some of the scene changes took stories to years in the future. I wished those stories were a stand alone book and all the juicy details were filled in. Other than that an awesome entertaining read. The author did a wonderful job of taking the reader on several hair-raising, unnerving, deliciously fearsome adventures!
November 25, 2019
Three Truths and Other Unsettling Tales should appear to fans of horror, a light touch. The novel is very easy to read, quite well edited and is composed of a number of short stories. Most of these stories involve some kind of gremlin that pops up to challenge the main protagonist. Brady and the unfinished symphony was my favourite, but I did like the tale with the Christmas trees planted each year. I did skim a few of the stories when I realised a similar theme was emerging.
I suppose my main gripe with the collection is that the writing, although competent, didn’t really shine out with any depth or texture that could have enhanced the creepy storylines. That’s just my opinion - it was just too workman like for me. Nevertheless, for some, this is a worthwhile entertaining read, maybe by the fireside during Christmas. I thought there wasn't enough here to become attached to. My rating - 3 stars.
I suppose my main gripe with the collection is that the writing, although competent, didn’t really shine out with any depth or texture that could have enhanced the creepy storylines. That’s just my opinion - it was just too workman like for me. Nevertheless, for some, this is a worthwhile entertaining read, maybe by the fireside during Christmas. I thought there wasn't enough here to become attached to. My rating - 3 stars.
July 10, 2019
This collection of seven fantastical short stories is a worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys a wide range of magical tales and has an afternoon to fill.
The stories range from light horror in “Bzzz” to werewolves in “The Beast of the Rurz Valley.” From humorous impish mischief in “Candyboot” to the poignancy of love beyond death in “Going Home” (The last two were favorites along with “The Grim Melody”). Clearly, I enjoyed the variety.
The writing style is simple and straightforward, and the prose could use a bit of polishing, but the storytelling is wonderful with fully-realized characters, engaging twists, and satisfying endings. Just shy of 5 stars and highly recommended.
The stories range from light horror in “Bzzz” to werewolves in “The Beast of the Rurz Valley.” From humorous impish mischief in “Candyboot” to the poignancy of love beyond death in “Going Home” (The last two were favorites along with “The Grim Melody”). Clearly, I enjoyed the variety.
The writing style is simple and straightforward, and the prose could use a bit of polishing, but the storytelling is wonderful with fully-realized characters, engaging twists, and satisfying endings. Just shy of 5 stars and highly recommended.
May 9, 2019
This delightful but unsettling collection of short stories took me back to my boyhood as a scout, sitting around the campfire, seeing who could tell the scariest story. The stories are imaginative and whimsical. It's a quick read - I was done in about an hour and a half, but I'm a fast reader. You know there's going to be a twist at the end of each one, and it's great fun to try and guess what that will be. I hit about 50%. It's too bad I'm too old to go camping with the scouts anymore, because I'd surely pack this book along if I did.
December 7, 2019
This collection of seven fantasy short stories is a good read for anyone who enjoys mystery and supernatural tales. The range of the stories is assorted, from light horror to slightly humorous. The author relies on intelligent play imagination and psychological pressure rather than streams of blood to create tension. Apparently simple, the style is what the stories really need to capture the reader.
I enjoyed two stories in particular - ‘The Grim Melody’, which flows like a requiem, and ‘Going Home’, a affectionate story of love beyond death.
I enjoyed two stories in particular - ‘The Grim Melody’, which flows like a requiem, and ‘Going Home’, a affectionate story of love beyond death.
February 28, 2019
This was a well written collection of short stories. They range from paranormal to straight horror to humor with the Candyboot story. I think my favorite story out of the bunch was Brady's story, but that might have to do with me also playing the piano. The very last story of the bunch was also a sad twist on a ghost story that I really enjoyed. Candyboot was twisted in a fun way. They were all good, but those three were my favorites
April 23, 2019
An awesome collection of bite-sized stories.
Whilst technically all in the horror genre, each short story had a different feel, and most with a twist I didn’t see coming.
I loved the fact that I could read one in a single sitting, though I admit I read several at a time because they are that good!
You'll love these short-stories because they are easy to digest while still delivering the goods.
Get it now.
Whilst technically all in the horror genre, each short story had a different feel, and most with a twist I didn’t see coming.
I loved the fact that I could read one in a single sitting, though I admit I read several at a time because they are that good!
You'll love these short-stories because they are easy to digest while still delivering the goods.
Get it now.
July 18, 2019
“Three Truths…” is a collection of short stories with a dark edge. Overall, I had fun with the collection. I’d rate “Bzzz” and “Candyboot” as the two weakest in the collection, as there doesn’t seem to be any ironic twist or real thematic weight to them. Just some creepy stuff that happened. The other stories have an O. Henry feel to them, with clever concepts and memorable endings. If you’re a fan of short stories and horror, you should check this one out.
May 19, 2020
Three Truths and Other Unsettling Tales doesn’t fail to deliver, full of dark short stories that will leave you breathless. I couldn’t even read them all at once, needing a chance to catch my breath, particularly after the story called “Magda”.
The interesting, likable characters in each story draw you in to a variety of very different locations and time periods. The stories are sprinkled with horror, but also touching, emotional moments. Very well done!
The interesting, likable characters in each story draw you in to a variety of very different locations and time periods. The stories are sprinkled with horror, but also touching, emotional moments. Very well done!
April 2, 2019
Great Short Stories
This is the first book I have read from this author. I found the stories interesting and enjoyed each, especially the last one. The story about Strawberry had a bittersweet tone, a lonely sad story that has lingered on in my mind. A good story in a collection of good stories...
This is the first book I have read from this author. I found the stories interesting and enjoyed each, especially the last one. The story about Strawberry had a bittersweet tone, a lonely sad story that has lingered on in my mind. A good story in a collection of good stories...
May 7, 2020
A solid collection of seven short horror mystery stories. Just the right length for reading before bed...
The tales have clever twists and turns. They're well-paced and easy to read through, leaving you feeling they were just the right length—a tricky thing to get right with short stories.
If you're looking for short mystery stories of supernatural horror, this is an enjoyable book to read.
The tales have clever twists and turns. They're well-paced and easy to read through, leaving you feeling they were just the right length—a tricky thing to get right with short stories.
If you're looking for short mystery stories of supernatural horror, this is an enjoyable book to read.
May 16, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this well-written collection of horror tales. The writing was engaging and well-paced; it was hard to put the book down. The stories were all different, with great plot twists, impossible dilemmas and characters I couldn’t help rooting for.
If you enjoy or are fascinated by unsettling reads, you’ll definitely fall in love with Three Truths and Other Unsettling Tales
If you enjoy or are fascinated by unsettling reads, you’ll definitely fall in love with Three Truths and Other Unsettling Tales
December 16, 2022
First of all ...... that cover! A wonderful collection of short stories, well written with a good flow. Another horror author to keep an eye out for. As an aside, I swear I've read the short story "Magda" somewhere before. 🤔
April 24, 2024
Fresh & haunting
I love the spins put on some of the old favorites, but the new stories are sure to leave you looking out the window on a dark night, with more than a little dread in your heart..
I love the spins put on some of the old favorites, but the new stories are sure to leave you looking out the window on a dark night, with more than a little dread in your heart..
January 25, 2021
A good collection of short stories!
I would definitely recommend this book to others who like short stories and twists. You won't be disappointed. I look forward to reading more.
I would definitely recommend this book to others who like short stories and twists. You won't be disappointed. I look forward to reading more.
June 23, 2022
For Thomas
Thank you for these stories. I loved reading them. You could not have done a better job of holding my interest for the time I read them.
Thank you for these stories. I loved reading them. You could not have done a better job of holding my interest for the time I read them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews