Queen of the Cold-Blooded Tales

American Storytelling

by Roberta Simpson Brown

Another spooky collection from Queen of the Cold-Blooded Tales, Roberta Simpson Brown. Roberta Simpson Brown is known by fellow storytellers as the "Queen of the Cold-Blooded Tales" for good reason. Her chilling stories are set in familiar, contemporary settings – family rooms, farms, campgrounds – with an undercurrent of something very, very scary pulling the reader into the undertow of terror. The title of the lead story, "Skin Crawlers," is most descriptive of this entirely original collection of stories from Roberta, who wrote them in response to numerous requests from teachers and librarians for tales scarier than those found in most school library collections. These haunted legends will give you chills! They're perfect for Halloween or a late night fright with snacks. Readers will learn the importance of respect, fairness and sharing. 

Genres: Short Stories, Horror, Anthologies

175 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1993

About the author

Roberta Simpson Brown was born in Russell Springs, Kentucky, at the edge of Appalachia. Her family, with roots in the rich Irish tradition of storytelling, got together often with other relatives and neighbors to share personal experiences and scary stories that preserved and perpetuated this age-old art. She and her husband Lonnie
enjoy doing paranormal investigations for stories with their friends.

Roberta has told stories at festivals, workshops, schools, libraries, programs, prisons and conferences from coast to coast. She has also performed on National Public Radio, Voice of America, and Lifetime's TV's show, "Beyond Chance." While she enjoys telling stories, she prefers to write.

A retired teacher, Roberta lives with her husband Lonnie in Louisville, KY. She would love to hear from readers, especially with stories of ghosts, fairies, leprechauns, or interesting personal experiences! She would welcome any comments about her 11 books! Her latest book is Scariest Stories Ever Told, published by August House. Contact her on Facebook, Twitter or at robertasbrown@twc.com.

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

These tales are okay just not something I'm into. Would be good for pre-teens or early teens I think.

[Brett Burkhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun for kids of all ages.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I slightly love Roberta Simpson Brown. She's like the bloodthirsty grandmother I never had. Brown is well-known as an oral storyteller, but I had never actually read any of here collections. Brown works in the style of classic campfire tales, clearly designed to be read aloud and accessible to all ages. It's the latter characteristic I find so interesting. Hidden behind the simple prose are some of the most gruesome Tales from the Crypt-esque stories I've read. Children are torn limb from limb, jewelry made from the victims of concentration camps seeks vengeance on the living, pedophiles, rapists, and serial killers all meet their justly grisly ends. I love it when an author, ostensibly appealing to children, treats them with respect an is willing to expose them to the gruesome. Kids love horror and Brown is not afraid to give to them, simultaneously allowing her stories to be enjoyable diversions for the older horror fan.

[Ginnie Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was in High school I took a writing seminar with Mrs Brown. I absolutely love her work. Her style reminds me of Shirley jackson in the "WTF?!" Moments at the end of every story. never what you expect but never fails to scare you out of your mind. As for my writing? well, the "Queen of the cold blooded tales" called my thinking "Demented" from her, that is really high praise.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a huge fan of Alvin Schwartz's scary stories I'm surprised I never came across this book until now! I know this is something I would have loved as a child. The stories are quite scary and morbid. It'll be added to my collection to share with my future children (and scare them!)