Moon on the Water

by Mort Castle

A collection of disturbing horror tales shows our world in a new, darker light, revealing the many terrifying things that await us in the shadows, around the corner, and in our very own homes. Original.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fiction, Collections

300 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2001

About the author

Mort Castle is a horror author, editor, and a writing teacher with more than 350 short stories and a dozen books to his credit.

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 1 out of 5]

April's reading of the year 2014 ends with a whimper, this particular whimper. Mort Castle has set unread on my bookshelves for a long time and unread he should have remained. There is a chance I might be missing something here considering all the praises his work gets, but his writing just really doesn't work for me. I thought maybe he's one of those writer that's better in short form (as he ought to be according to the accolades), but there stories were just really unimpressive and overstylized in that style over substance fashion. There were two out of 300 pages worth that were ok, but the rest ranged from boring to WTF, occasionally falling into some sort of freestyle verses and consistently and wholly unengaging. The best thing to say about this collection is that it was a quick read, but still that's a couple of wasted hours.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book of short stories many years ago, and I remember being really moved by them, not so much by what actually happened in the stories, but by what was actually hidden, and implied by Mort's words. I wish I could find the book again so I can re-read it, but I haven't had luck with that. I just remember reading between the lines of his stories and being amazed at what a gifted writer he is. Anyway, the book made an incredible impression on me as a young guy.

[Kevin Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome stuff. So glad I discovered AND met the author!

[Deacon D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine collection of stories by the talented Mort Castle.

Sweet, sad, creepy and very moving. I really enjoyed this one!

[Geoff Hyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mort Castle is at his strongest when he balances genre subject matter and literary sensibility in equal measure. This collection’s standouts include “Henderson’s Place/The Girl with the Summer Eyes,” which has an eerie parallel structure that makes its conclusion horrifying in its inevitability, and “Love, Hate, and the Beautiful Junkyard Sea,” a tale of childhood imagination turned to adult curse. “The Old Man and the Dead” is one of my favorite Mort Castle stories. Those who have only read Castle’s more-recent New Moon on the Water can find “The Old Man and the Dead” here (or in various themed anthologies such as Still Dead: Book of the Dead 2 and Zombies! Zombies! Zombies!). What could have been a comical stunt is artfully and sincerely accomplished, creating a stirring tribute to both Ernest Hemingway’s Nick Adams stories and George Romero’s zombie films that’s a must-read. Mort Castle’s short fiction defies easy categorization; it ranges from contemplative personal vignettes, to supernatural shockers, to realistic takes on life’s darker aspects. One thing is certain: if you’re a fan of horror of any sort, it's well worth your time.

[Joshua Hair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mister Mort Castle had some rather interesting tales to tell. A few of the stories dragged on just a bit or didn't really pay off in the end, but for the most part I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It was also my first foray into the mind of Mister Castle. Judging his talent based solely on what I've read here I will certainly seek out further work from him.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The short stories are unforgettable and disturbing. And written in such a way that you hold your breath right up to the last page of each story where the shocking endings leave you breathless and in a nightmare.

[suspense_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5

[Waven · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story collection is a well-written and varied grouping of unusual tales. From the dark deceit of the first to the dim hope of the last, Castle knows how to weave interesting and unexpected stories. Less-than-idyllic childhoods, the odd powers of love and hate, the influences of jazz and religion, the nature of personal horror. This collection has something for just about everyone if you like fiction with a shot of darkness.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of short stories. Classic horror in it's truest form. Great book!

[Mom Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to read this book!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short story collection by a little known (to the general public) author, which is a very great shame. This man is a true stylist and his stories are very good.