Strange Days

by Andrew C. Piazza

Explore the strange corners of the universe with the collected tales of Strange Days, 13 stories ranging from shorts to novellas, from horror to urban fantasy to comedy. Feel the chill fingers of something in the back seat in the ghost story “The Long Drive Home”. Follow a squad of WWII soldiers facing a terrifying sniper in “Tracks In The Snow”. Werewolves come to small town Pennsylvania in “The Sound Of Snow Falling”. Magic and technology combine to restore the dead, and SWAT teams have to clean up the consequences in “Shards Of Glass”. Tickle your funny bone with “A Little Vampire Story”… about a little vampire. From dark fantasy to comedy to science fiction, "Strange Days" is an eclectic blend guaranteed to provide a brief escape from the everyday. Strange Days story The Sound Of Snow Falling The Long Drive Home A Fine Cigar Kept Secrets Shards Of Glass Independent Study Promises, Promises The Last Pencil Harry’s Ride Tracks In The Snow (As Christopher Andrews) Alley Cats A Little Vampire Story The Death Of Armadillo Boy

444 pages, Paperback

Published March 9, 2018

Reviews

[Kyle Goins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story anthologies are always such an interesting thing to read and rate, since each story can differ so dramatically. In this case, Piazza’s writing crosses several genres across these stories, from horror, to historical fiction, to absurdly goofy. As a starting point, I would say do not read the little author intros to each story until after you have read the story. This spoiled what could have been a nice reveal in the first story (The Sound Of Snow Falling).

I love Piazza’s full lengths, with both One Last Gasp and Song into the Void popping into my head with regularity as memorable examples of historical, cosmic horror. It’s a surprising niche of horror, but I like it. And his short stories here, for the most part, are great. There are some good stories that fall a bit short for me, including the aforementioned opener, as well as “Shards Of Glass”, which is Book 1 of his “Contemporary Fantasy” trilogy. It was enjoyable but not my cup of tea. “Independent Study” is successful as a Lovecraft homage, but feels like it’s missing something, “The Last Pencil” is sweet but maybe a touch too sentimental in this collection, and “Alley Cats” is fun but ridiculous.

There are only three stories in here that are average at best. “Harry’s Ride” feels like a generic sci-fi romp. “A Little Vampire Story”, while fun, is TOO absurd. And “The Death Of Armadillo Boy” is just weird. It tracks that those last two were written under his Christopher Andrew pen name because they definitely feel like a departure.

“The Long Drive Home” and “Kept Secrets” are quintessential short stories that pack the punch of promise but without being able to fully flesh anything out.

My top three stories are “Promises, Promises”, which lives up to its intention of a Twilight Zone homage, “Tracks in the Snow”, which is a WWII war story that had me remembering the intrigue of One Last Gasp (minus the cosmic horror), and “A Fine Cigar”, which I need to read a full length novel of immediately.

[Ski Croghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious comedy!!!!!!!

Laugh till you cry, all while you shiver at the horror. These short stories are scary but the last few are also full of funniness. The author is a serious written as his "One Final Gasp" proves but still has a funny side under his pen name Christopher Andrews. Well written with good characters. The stories very as to topics and will hold your attention but are short enough to finish one as you wait for the doctor or the car mechanic to finish with your car. Seriously recommended.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew C Piazza has delivered great stories again! Can't wait for more!

I loved the stories in Strange Days: A Short Story Collections. Andrew C Piazza is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!