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The Horror Collection #2
The Horror Collection: Black Edition
Book 2 in a new series of mini-anthologies brought to you by KJK Publishing. Featuring stories by Richard Chizmar, Mark Lukens, Michael A. Arnzen, Eric J. Guignard, Veronica Smith, Lee McGeorge, James Matthew Byers & Kevin J. Kennedy
196 pages, Paperback
Published February 28, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 5, 2021
Horrific! 😱
No werewolves. No vampires, ghosts or zombies. Just stupendous horror! Loads of it. Enough to make you happy that you’re a horror lover. A fanatic if you please.
I love this series. The authors are all at the top of their game. I can’t wait to read the next book. Don’t believe me? You’ll see.
No werewolves. No vampires, ghosts or zombies. Just stupendous horror! Loads of it. Enough to make you happy that you’re a horror lover. A fanatic if you please.
I love this series. The authors are all at the top of their game. I can’t wait to read the next book. Don’t believe me? You’ll see.
July 15, 2021
A fantastic collection of horror tales. My personal favourites were Pie Bingo, by Veronica Smith, The Switch, by Mark Lukens, and of course Kevin J. Kennedy’s batshit take on The Wizard of Oz, a Tarantino Oz.
Five stars!
Five stars!
February 26, 2020
Sadistic
Some of these stories were rather sadistic. I wish I had taken the warning on the story Kevin Kennedy wrote. Ruined The Wizard of Oz for me.
Some of these stories were rather sadistic. I wish I had taken the warning on the story Kevin Kennedy wrote. Ruined The Wizard of Oz for me.
March 8, 2026
Whenever I read an anthology, my expectation is that it will be a mixed bag—-some good, some bad, and some so-and-so. Such was not my experience of The Horror Collection 2: The Black Collection edited by Kevin J. Kennedy. I was blown away by how top-notch the majority of these short stories were. As a word of warning, quite a number of these selections were outright gruesome and violent in content and in concept, which made my very positive experience of this anthology that much more surprising, as I heavily favor the slow burn over the at-your-face violence when it comes to horror.
My personal favorites were the following:
1. “Pie Bingo: Last Man Standing” by Veronica Smith. An overpopulated prison population variation of Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”, the prison system comes up with an ingenious solution to solve its overpopulation. 5 of 5 stars.
2. “Goblin Financial” by Lee McGeorge. Jane is in over her head, having accumulated a financial debt so dee she cannot climb out. Enter Goblin Financial to step in and come to the rescue, though in a rather sadistic way. 5 of 5 stars.
3. “The Switch” by Mark Lukens. Chad signs up to be a subject in an experiment involving a locked room and the simple instruction to not pull the switch. Setting aside that the research design is outright unethical à la Philip Lombardo, this made for a terrifying read. 5 of 5 stars.
4. “Those Who Watch From On High” by Eric J Guignard. Working for the US military flying a drone over Afghanistan, Lee is drawn to a local boy, as it reminds him of his own son who he lost in an auto collision with a drunk driver. This was a psychologically disturbing and emotionally moving portrayal of PTSD that continued to haunt me well after reading this. 5 of 5 stars.
Honorable mention goes to: “A Tarantino Oz” by Kevin J. Kennedy. Dorothy and her companions are definitely not in Kansas anymore in this salacious rendition of an innocent childhood classic.
Highly recommended! I look forward to reading more from these (to me) unknown authors in later installments of this anthology series.
My personal favorites were the following:
1. “Pie Bingo: Last Man Standing” by Veronica Smith. An overpopulated prison population variation of Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”, the prison system comes up with an ingenious solution to solve its overpopulation. 5 of 5 stars.
2. “Goblin Financial” by Lee McGeorge. Jane is in over her head, having accumulated a financial debt so dee she cannot climb out. Enter Goblin Financial to step in and come to the rescue, though in a rather sadistic way. 5 of 5 stars.
3. “The Switch” by Mark Lukens. Chad signs up to be a subject in an experiment involving a locked room and the simple instruction to not pull the switch. Setting aside that the research design is outright unethical à la Philip Lombardo, this made for a terrifying read. 5 of 5 stars.
4. “Those Who Watch From On High” by Eric J Guignard. Working for the US military flying a drone over Afghanistan, Lee is drawn to a local boy, as it reminds him of his own son who he lost in an auto collision with a drunk driver. This was a psychologically disturbing and emotionally moving portrayal of PTSD that continued to haunt me well after reading this. 5 of 5 stars.
Honorable mention goes to: “A Tarantino Oz” by Kevin J. Kennedy. Dorothy and her companions are definitely not in Kansas anymore in this salacious rendition of an innocent childhood classic.
Highly recommended! I look forward to reading more from these (to me) unknown authors in later installments of this anthology series.
September 14, 2020
I purchased this books because of the amazing reviews on Amazon and oh boy, they were all right. I enjoyed book one and this one did not disappoint me. Such a good book
with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. I couldn't put this down until I ended. Can't wait to read the entire series!
with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. I couldn't put this down until I ended. Can't wait to read the entire series!
August 5, 2020
Wonderful
I enjoyed these stories and will try and get number 3. I have to go to the doctor tomorrow morning and this book helped tell you what you keep writing them and I'll keep reading them sincerely Christine Dunne Harlingen texas
I enjoyed these stories and will try and get number 3. I have to go to the doctor tomorrow morning and this book helped tell you what you keep writing them and I'll keep reading them sincerely Christine Dunne Harlingen texas
May 4, 2019
The Horror Collection
Overall a good collection of stories, there were a couple of stories I didn't care for, the rest I really enjoyed
Overall a good collection of stories, there were a couple of stories I didn't care for, the rest I really enjoyed
July 19, 2023
Creepy.
These weren't very creepy to me. Well, except for the last one. It was indeed scary. It makes me very glad that I quit smoking so long ago
These weren't very creepy to me. Well, except for the last one. It was indeed scary. It makes me very glad that I quit smoking so long ago
November 24, 2019
The Horror Collection: Black Edition was wicked intense! As this one covered some dark elements that I am just not a fan of, this collection wasn’t my favorite. But if you’re into horror tales with horror and sex, then this collection would be a hit for you!
Even though a few of the tales weren’t for me, I still really enjoyed the collection! Per usual, many of the tales are going to stick with me for a long time!
Out of the eight tales in this collection, I absolutely LOVED two of them! Unfortunately, a few were just not in my horror interest range. So please keep that in mind when considering my notes below.
Per usual, here are my quick reactions and rating breakdowns for each story:
The Lake is Life by Richard Chizmar – 3/5
Ah man, we used to play a game similar to flashlight tag called deer hunter. This tale really made me miss that! I loved the bits from the conversation between the witness and the police that added to the suspense of the tale.
Pie Bingo: Last Man Standing by Veronica Smith – 3/5
YIKES! This one was wicked intense and gruesome. I’m personally not a huge fan of tales with torture which is why this one was a three for me but I still greatly enjoyed the story overall. The idea behind the plot was so scary! This one is gonna stick with me for a long time.
Goblin Financial by Lee McGeorge – 3/5
Woah! This one was so dark!! Another with torture, hence the lower rating for me personally. But man, if torture porn of your thing, the start of this will be a hit for you! I personally enjoyed the second half more when it got really intense!
The Switch by Mark Lukens – 5/5
Ah! This one made me feel so claustrophobic!! Phew. Wonderfully done! This one made me think of Thirteen Ghosts! “Greatness requires sacrifice.” Eek! Now I need to go rewatch that film!
Those Who Watch From On High by Eric J. Guignard – 5/5
Woah. This was heartbreaking and wicked suspenseful. The author did a wonderful job portraying elements of PTSD and making the timeline jumpy but in a way that still flowed. My heart broke for Lee.
The Ghost of Agnes Gallow by James Matthew Byers – 4/5
So creepy! Tales like this really get under my skin! Ghostly revenge that passes along from generation to generation is such a scary premise.
A Tarantino Oz by Kevin J Kennedy –
This story had a warning; “Warning! The next story may be considered extreme.” I grinned when I saw this and couldn’t wait to dive in. And darn it! This one was not for me simply because of said extreme content. For those that enjoy the sex-related elements here though, it’d be a home run!
Smolder by Michael A. Arnzen – 3/5
Woah! Intense!! Don’t smoke cigarettes, friends!
Even though a few of the tales weren’t for me, I still really enjoyed the collection! Per usual, many of the tales are going to stick with me for a long time!
Out of the eight tales in this collection, I absolutely LOVED two of them! Unfortunately, a few were just not in my horror interest range. So please keep that in mind when considering my notes below.
Per usual, here are my quick reactions and rating breakdowns for each story:
The Lake is Life by Richard Chizmar – 3/5
Ah man, we used to play a game similar to flashlight tag called deer hunter. This tale really made me miss that! I loved the bits from the conversation between the witness and the police that added to the suspense of the tale.
Pie Bingo: Last Man Standing by Veronica Smith – 3/5
YIKES! This one was wicked intense and gruesome. I’m personally not a huge fan of tales with torture which is why this one was a three for me but I still greatly enjoyed the story overall. The idea behind the plot was so scary! This one is gonna stick with me for a long time.
Goblin Financial by Lee McGeorge – 3/5
Woah! This one was so dark!! Another with torture, hence the lower rating for me personally. But man, if torture porn of your thing, the start of this will be a hit for you! I personally enjoyed the second half more when it got really intense!
The Switch by Mark Lukens – 5/5
Ah! This one made me feel so claustrophobic!! Phew. Wonderfully done! This one made me think of Thirteen Ghosts! “Greatness requires sacrifice.” Eek! Now I need to go rewatch that film!
Those Who Watch From On High by Eric J. Guignard – 5/5
Woah. This was heartbreaking and wicked suspenseful. The author did a wonderful job portraying elements of PTSD and making the timeline jumpy but in a way that still flowed. My heart broke for Lee.
The Ghost of Agnes Gallow by James Matthew Byers – 4/5
So creepy! Tales like this really get under my skin! Ghostly revenge that passes along from generation to generation is such a scary premise.
A Tarantino Oz by Kevin J Kennedy –
This story had a warning; “Warning! The next story may be considered extreme.” I grinned when I saw this and couldn’t wait to dive in. And darn it! This one was not for me simply because of said extreme content. For those that enjoy the sex-related elements here though, it’d be a home run!
Smolder by Michael A. Arnzen – 3/5
Woah! Intense!! Don’t smoke cigarettes, friends!
October 8, 2024
This was the best anthology I have read so far. I loved almost every story in it and when picking my favorite story and honorable mention I truly realized how strong this collection is. More than one step up from the gold edition, the black edition includes stories with some amazing characters like my favorite story. But also contains stories that resonate for different reasons, like the one written in the form of poetry, or the one about PDSD and the immoral actions of the military. How shitty they can treat the people that are enlisted while still braying about how their actions are honorable and justified. I was always excited to read the next story in this collection, and what more can you ask for?
Favorite Story: The Lake is Life by Richard Chizmar
The ending is predictable but I just love Chizmar's writing style
- Vivid character, vivid setting, vivid evoked emotions
- Foreshadowing was the cherry on top
Honorable Mention: Smolder by Michael A. Arnzen
- I need to read a novel by this man, I love the prose of this story
- Successfully pulling off a gimmick (the cigarette pack) in a short story is quite hard to do and it was pulled off masterfully
- Society doesn't talk enough about individuals who stick with people through addiction
Least Favorite Story: The Switch by Mark Lukens
- The writing wasn't even bad and I like the premise for the most part. The conclusion is what did it for me, if people always end up pushing the switch what are they measuring? Scientifically, which is how it's portrayed it doesn't make any sense to continue to experiment.
Favorite Story: The Lake is Life by Richard Chizmar
The ending is predictable but I just love Chizmar's writing style
- Vivid character, vivid setting, vivid evoked emotions
- Foreshadowing was the cherry on top
Honorable Mention: Smolder by Michael A. Arnzen
- I need to read a novel by this man, I love the prose of this story
- Successfully pulling off a gimmick (the cigarette pack) in a short story is quite hard to do and it was pulled off masterfully
- Society doesn't talk enough about individuals who stick with people through addiction
Least Favorite Story: The Switch by Mark Lukens
- The writing wasn't even bad and I like the premise for the most part. The conclusion is what did it for me, if people always end up pushing the switch what are they measuring? Scientifically, which is how it's portrayed it doesn't make any sense to continue to experiment.
April 2, 2019
Not horror
No idea who thinks this is horror. A couple decent stories but nothing that came close scaring me
Not worth the read
No idea who thinks this is horror. A couple decent stories but nothing that came close scaring me
Not worth the read
April 12, 2024
Cool book!
I love all the stories in it, and my favorite is the Oz one! ******* hilarious! You should write more stories like that!!
I love all the stories in it, and my favorite is the Oz one! ******* hilarious! You should write more stories like that!!
April 24, 2021
A mixed bag overall but worth picking up. Easy reading horror you can dip into with little free time.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews