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Anomalies & Curiosities: An Anthology of Gothic Medical Horror
A new adventure in gothic fiction, Anomalies & Curiosities features ten terrifying tales of the medically macabre. A collection that explores the intricacies of the human psyche, leaving you with the curious sense of dread that only gothic horror can achieve.
Featuring the talent of Brad Acevedo, David Andrews, R.A. Busby, Marie Casey, Spyder Collins, Roland Garrety, Rebecca Jones-Howe, Jeremy Megargee, Nick Petrou, and Cassandra L. Thompson.
Featuring the talent of Brad Acevedo, David Andrews, R.A. Busby, Marie Casey, Spyder Collins, Roland Garrety, Rebecca Jones-Howe, Jeremy Megargee, Nick Petrou, and Cassandra L. Thompson.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
ebook
Published May 1, 2021
4 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Cassandra L. Thompson
28 books306 followersGothic horror lover Cassandra L. Thompson has been creating stories since she got her grubby little hands around a pen. When she is not busy managing a house full of feral children (human and canine) with her beloved husband, you can find her wandering around cemeteries, taking pictures of abandoned things, or in the library researching her latest obsession. She has a B.A. in History and an MLIS, but she ignores her degrees to focus on writing and running Quill & Crow Publishing House, both of which require copious amounts of coffee and Crows.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 1, 2021
It has been some time since reading a collection of creepy yet fun short stories! It reminds me of tales from the crypt or the twilight zone, but more centered around true but horrific medical history. The stories are well written, thought provoking, chilling, and exciting. Some have elements of mystery that adds well to the intrigue. Each story had me sitting back and pondering about our human past, and the complexity of the theme underlying... was it truly all for the greater good? Or could there have been another way?
Highly Recommended!
Highly Recommended!
April 25, 2021
With Anomalies & Curiosities, Cassandra Thompson has proven she’s not only a prolific horror writer. But also an amazing editor. This collection is gothic horror at its best, the kind of anthology Mary Shelley would have written for.
But read with caution, the stories curated here each come with their own dose of dread and are definitely not for the faint of heart.
But read with caution, the stories curated here each come with their own dose of dread and are definitely not for the faint of heart.
October 1, 2021
This is a collection of ten gothic medical horror stories. I was sold after reading that scentence. Medicine and especially Transfusionmedicine has always had a special place in my heart, working with what I do.
I love the cover, the skeleton really draws me in and I knew that I had to have it in my bookshelf. It's beautiful and intruiging just as we all are. I'm always so amazed in how our body and mind works in the most mysterious and fascinating ways.
Every story is well-written and unique even though the topic is similar. Each author brings their own specific style and talent with elegant descriptions that evokes a Victorian Gothic feeling, that I love. You understand that the authors have put in a lot of work into research and thought. That truly shines through every story.
Don't get me wrong, this collection is not for the faint of heart but I was expecting more. More gruesome, more bloody, more macabre and more fucked up stories.
There were a few stories I liked more than others and I got new inspiring authors to look into. Megargee is one of my favorite authors and I was looking forward to read his short story "The Leeches will lead us", and let me tell you, he did not disappoint me.
It's hard reviewing a collection because there are always stories that you love and stories that you don't like. I do think there's something for everyone in this collection of you appreciate medical horror.
I love the cover, the skeleton really draws me in and I knew that I had to have it in my bookshelf. It's beautiful and intruiging just as we all are. I'm always so amazed in how our body and mind works in the most mysterious and fascinating ways.
Every story is well-written and unique even though the topic is similar. Each author brings their own specific style and talent with elegant descriptions that evokes a Victorian Gothic feeling, that I love. You understand that the authors have put in a lot of work into research and thought. That truly shines through every story.
Don't get me wrong, this collection is not for the faint of heart but I was expecting more. More gruesome, more bloody, more macabre and more fucked up stories.
There were a few stories I liked more than others and I got new inspiring authors to look into. Megargee is one of my favorite authors and I was looking forward to read his short story "The Leeches will lead us", and let me tell you, he did not disappoint me.
It's hard reviewing a collection because there are always stories that you love and stories that you don't like. I do think there's something for everyone in this collection of you appreciate medical horror.
June 20, 2021
Such a fantasy anthology! A brilliantly well-written collection, honouring such a niche area of gothic fiction that you don't see much of these days!
Anomalies & Curiosities explores medical horror (think Frankenstein or Jekyll And Hyde), with each short story of the collection being as gross and as grim as the last one. In a good way of course, medical gothic is supposed to shock you and gross you out!
Whilst I enjoyed all of the stories, my absolute favourite is The Unveiling by Brad Acevedo. Only a short story, and it yet drips with world-building and lore. I wanted that story to go on, I was not done with that world!
I highly recommend Anomalies & Curiosities, even if you're new to the genre. It's a brilliant gateway to get you in the mood for it!
Anomalies & Curiosities explores medical horror (think Frankenstein or Jekyll And Hyde), with each short story of the collection being as gross and as grim as the last one. In a good way of course, medical gothic is supposed to shock you and gross you out!
Whilst I enjoyed all of the stories, my absolute favourite is The Unveiling by Brad Acevedo. Only a short story, and it yet drips with world-building and lore. I wanted that story to go on, I was not done with that world!
I highly recommend Anomalies & Curiosities, even if you're new to the genre. It's a brilliant gateway to get you in the mood for it!
July 25, 2021
Blood. Guts. Gore.
Maggots. Straightjackets. Lots and lots of leeches.
Mutations. Monstrosities. Medical malpractice.
This book contains stories of the grotesque and gruesome, and let me tell you, they are glorious. There are ten little stories, each excellent, though my absolute favorite was 'Woman of the White Cottage' by Rebecca Jones-Howe, which takes the nursery rhyme 'Mistress Mary, Quite Contrary' and twists it into something much, much darker.
Though the stories are set across a variety of time periods (and even, once or twice, in alternate worlds), they all evoke a strong Victorian Gothic feel. You'll feel yourself immersed in filthy streets and secret laboratories, strange concoctions bubbling in beakers and even stranger creatures suspended, floating in giant copper vats. All while a dark and stormy night rages outside, of course.
I loved this collection. This is definitely one of those anthologies that I will pick up again and again over the years.
Maggots. Straightjackets. Lots and lots of leeches.
Mutations. Monstrosities. Medical malpractice.
This book contains stories of the grotesque and gruesome, and let me tell you, they are glorious. There are ten little stories, each excellent, though my absolute favorite was 'Woman of the White Cottage' by Rebecca Jones-Howe, which takes the nursery rhyme 'Mistress Mary, Quite Contrary' and twists it into something much, much darker.
Though the stories are set across a variety of time periods (and even, once or twice, in alternate worlds), they all evoke a strong Victorian Gothic feel. You'll feel yourself immersed in filthy streets and secret laboratories, strange concoctions bubbling in beakers and even stranger creatures suspended, floating in giant copper vats. All while a dark and stormy night rages outside, of course.
I loved this collection. This is definitely one of those anthologies that I will pick up again and again over the years.
September 22, 2021
Gothic medical horror is a pretty specific and possibly niche idea on which to base a collection of stories on. Gothic stories on their own are a delicate balance of atmosphere and haunting through lines that merge seamlessly into one another. Adding the idea of medical horror further limits the types and styles of stories and plots within.
Or so one would think.
This a collection of ten stories, from ten different authors. Each are unique and layered. The sense of gothic dread and time period aesthetic are well at the forefront, giving readers what they hunger for and more. The medical side of the stories bring an added twist, sometimes not as apparent as one would think when beginning the tale. Each author brings their specific talents, blending their established style with the macabre elegance one looks to find within Gothic fiction, while making full use of the medical haunts.
There really isn't much more I can say without spoilers or trying to pick favorites. Which honestly isn't right because I was enthralled by each one.
Or so one would think.
This a collection of ten stories, from ten different authors. Each are unique and layered. The sense of gothic dread and time period aesthetic are well at the forefront, giving readers what they hunger for and more. The medical side of the stories bring an added twist, sometimes not as apparent as one would think when beginning the tale. Each author brings their specific talents, blending their established style with the macabre elegance one looks to find within Gothic fiction, while making full use of the medical haunts.
There really isn't much more I can say without spoilers or trying to pick favorites. Which honestly isn't right because I was enthralled by each one.
July 14, 2021
Anomalies & Curiosities: An Anthology of Gothic Medical Horror, a short story anthology from Quill & Crow Publishing, contains 10 short stories of medical horrors sure to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Stories that will creep you out and stick in your brain long after you finish reading the book.
Each of the ten stories in this collection seeks to not only entertain but to remind us of the days when shocking medical experiments were necessary to reach the levels of scientific advancement today. As creeped out as these stories made me, it also made me wonder what experiments today would be viewed as archaic in the future as these are today.
Some stories stuck with me more so than others. My favorites in this collection are: “Ill Wind” by R.A. Busby, “Woman in the White Cottage” by Rebecca Howe Jones, “Shadows” by Marie Casey, and “The Unveiling” by Brad Acevedo. This is a strong collection, there are no weak filler stories.
5/5 Stars
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Each of the ten stories in this collection seeks to not only entertain but to remind us of the days when shocking medical experiments were necessary to reach the levels of scientific advancement today. As creeped out as these stories made me, it also made me wonder what experiments today would be viewed as archaic in the future as these are today.
Some stories stuck with me more so than others. My favorites in this collection are: “Ill Wind” by R.A. Busby, “Woman in the White Cottage” by Rebecca Howe Jones, “Shadows” by Marie Casey, and “The Unveiling” by Brad Acevedo. This is a strong collection, there are no weak filler stories.
5/5 Stars
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 1, 2021
A delicious read, which I fully enjoyed!
Ten medical horror short stories in an anthology by different authors, each with a unique writing style and voice, read and added to my collection stat!
I reread "Woman of the White Cottage" before writing this review. What an exceptional story! "Merciful" and "Shadows" are also among my favorite rereads. All ten stories remain inside you and stick to your bones.
This is a book to read, savor, and reread again. It deserves the Highest Recommendation one can give.
Ten medical horror short stories in an anthology by different authors, each with a unique writing style and voice, read and added to my collection stat!
I reread "Woman of the White Cottage" before writing this review. What an exceptional story! "Merciful" and "Shadows" are also among my favorite rereads. All ten stories remain inside you and stick to your bones.
This is a book to read, savor, and reread again. It deserves the Highest Recommendation one can give.
June 20, 2021
Not for the faint of heart!
After having been an ICU nurse for decades, I thought I had seen it all. However, the authors of these stories were highly inventive, and it was clear that a great deal of thought and research had gone into crafting these stories.
In the vein of American Horror Story, Tales from the Crypt and a soupcon of Stephen King, you have a delightful treat of 11 short stories sure to give you a spine-tingling thrill and the odd nightmare.
Congratulations to all the authors, and I honestly cannot pick just one as my favourite for the writing styles are so widely varied that they each bring something different to give you the willies.
After having been an ICU nurse for decades, I thought I had seen it all. However, the authors of these stories were highly inventive, and it was clear that a great deal of thought and research had gone into crafting these stories.
In the vein of American Horror Story, Tales from the Crypt and a soupcon of Stephen King, you have a delightful treat of 11 short stories sure to give you a spine-tingling thrill and the odd nightmare.
Congratulations to all the authors, and I honestly cannot pick just one as my favourite for the writing styles are so widely varied that they each bring something different to give you the willies.
June 4, 2021
Medical horror may be an understatement....
In any collection of short stories, there are always some better than others. While this is the case in this collection, it might be better to say some will make you cringe more than others.
The authors gathered here are excellent writers and their imaginations are expansive. If blood and guts bother you, you might be warned to proceed carefully. Some of the stories are mild, some are cause to take a breath, all are worth reading.
One of the things I liked about each of the stories, is that you were not sure where it was going and for me that makes a great read.
I give this one five stars and highly recommend.
In any collection of short stories, there are always some better than others. While this is the case in this collection, it might be better to say some will make you cringe more than others.
The authors gathered here are excellent writers and their imaginations are expansive. If blood and guts bother you, you might be warned to proceed carefully. Some of the stories are mild, some are cause to take a breath, all are worth reading.
One of the things I liked about each of the stories, is that you were not sure where it was going and for me that makes a great read.
I give this one five stars and highly recommend.
October 31, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Medical horror is a subgenre not often addressed by short story writers. The present anthology includes a varied approach to the subject. The quality of the tales is, unfortunately , quite uneven.
Some stories are related to the subject in a very loose way, others are so realistic to end up in a feast of gore and in a few instances the so-called diseases are a bit beyond the reader’s suspension of disbelief.
That’s too bad because the book does include some excellent stories .
“ Transfusion” by David Andrews is an engrossing tale about the power of blood and the benefits of transfusions as pursued by a brilliant young doctor; “ Merciful” by editor Cassandra L Thompson is a dark, horrific piece taking place in an Asylum for Fallen Women where nuns perform unholy, merciless acts on pregnant women;” Embryo” by Nick Petrou (not for the squeamish );effectively describes how religion, mixed with deranged science can produce unspeakable horrors.
Medical horror is a subgenre not often addressed by short story writers. The present anthology includes a varied approach to the subject. The quality of the tales is, unfortunately , quite uneven.
Some stories are related to the subject in a very loose way, others are so realistic to end up in a feast of gore and in a few instances the so-called diseases are a bit beyond the reader’s suspension of disbelief.
That’s too bad because the book does include some excellent stories .
“ Transfusion” by David Andrews is an engrossing tale about the power of blood and the benefits of transfusions as pursued by a brilliant young doctor; “ Merciful” by editor Cassandra L Thompson is a dark, horrific piece taking place in an Asylum for Fallen Women where nuns perform unholy, merciless acts on pregnant women;” Embryo” by Nick Petrou (not for the squeamish );effectively describes how religion, mixed with deranged science can produce unspeakable horrors.
April 14, 2022
What a stunning and perfectly put-together collection of short stories. Each one felt so complete and developed, given their longer word counts. The theme carried through nicely, like a thread that tethered them all together. However, each still felt very original and unique.
This collection felt like entering a time capsule and returning the past, where medical advances were being tried and tested, and some methods worked while others were downright horrifying. Some were grounded by our very own reality and past, while others dripped with Lovecraftian essence.
I thoroughly enjoyed every story within this anthology, my favourites being Merciful, Shadows, The Leeches Will Lead Us, and Woman of the White Cottage (which made me tear up)
This collection felt like entering a time capsule and returning the past, where medical advances were being tried and tested, and some methods worked while others were downright horrifying. Some were grounded by our very own reality and past, while others dripped with Lovecraftian essence.
I thoroughly enjoyed every story within this anthology, my favourites being Merciful, Shadows, The Leeches Will Lead Us, and Woman of the White Cottage (which made me tear up)
September 11, 2022
My third foray into Short Story September and I chose a book from what has become one of my favorite publishing houses, Quill and Crow Publishing House. This is the 5th anthology series that I have read from them and I again, was not disappointed. This book is filled with 10 stories of gothic medical horror, each from a different author.
Each of these stories are creepy, disturbing and horrific yet entertaining. They also remind of the years gone by of shocking medical treatments and insane asylums where people were often held against their will. All the writers bring their own take on the topic and even though the theme is the same, each story is original and unique in its own way.
This is a fantastic collection, and it is very hard to choose a favorite. I really enjoyed "The Cannibal and the Barber" by Spyder Collins; Embryo by Nick Petrou and "Merciful"by Cassandra Thompson, although I appreciate all the stories and the efforts each author put into making medical horror come to life.
Each of these stories are creepy, disturbing and horrific yet entertaining. They also remind of the years gone by of shocking medical treatments and insane asylums where people were often held against their will. All the writers bring their own take on the topic and even though the theme is the same, each story is original and unique in its own way.
This is a fantastic collection, and it is very hard to choose a favorite. I really enjoyed "The Cannibal and the Barber" by Spyder Collins; Embryo by Nick Petrou and "Merciful"by Cassandra Thompson, although I appreciate all the stories and the efforts each author put into making medical horror come to life.
June 23, 2021
This collection of short stories was a lovely dip into the gothic horror genre that I have not done in some time. I regret that because I forgot how very lovely and near and dear to my heart stories in this vein can be.
That said, wow, these stories pulled absolutely no punches and I am here for that. Each author brought their twist to the anthology and hammered their words in with skill, and left me wanting, craving, desiring more.
That said, wow, these stories pulled absolutely no punches and I am here for that. Each author brought their twist to the anthology and hammered their words in with skill, and left me wanting, craving, desiring more.
May 26, 2021
This anthology is chalked full of wonderful goodies for the horror reader and the curious. With so many talented writers and variety of stories there is something for everyone. Hats off to them and their talent it was hard to pick my favorite so I picked them all
May 16, 2021
This book was very good, had me on the edge of my seat!! If you love medical horror and medical anomalies you will love this book. Applause to all the authors involved in this book!!
May 18, 2021
This was a good book. I enjoyed some stories more then others mostly based on writing style, but each of the stories were good in their own ways. It was a great collection of tales.
May 22, 2021
This book has me sitting on the edge but it’s really good
May 22, 2021
I received this as an ARC from Crow Publishing. All I can say is ... wow. Just wow. I need to read this again.
May 29, 2021
Review to follow
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews