What One Wouldn't Do: An Anthology on the Lengths One Might Go To

by Scott J. Moses (Editor/Contributor), Laurel Hightower (Introduction/Contributor), J.A.W. McCarthy (Contributor)

What One Wouldn't Do for...What?

Power? Safety? Love? Revenge?

Here's to the lengths one might go to for everything.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies

330 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2021

About the author

Scott J. Moses is the author of Our Own Unique Affliction (Shortwave Books). An Active member of the Horror Writers Association, his work has appeared in Cosmic Horror Monthly, The NoSleep Podcast, Planet Scumm, and elsewhere. He also edited What One Wouldn’t Do: An Anthology on the Lengths One Might Go To. He is Japanese American and lives in Maryland. You can find him on Instagram or scottjmoses.com. He is represented by IAG for TV/Film.

Reviews

[Catherine McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The editor, Scott Moses, poured his heart and soul into compiling this anthology and it certainly paid off. With such a great TOC, I knew this was bound to be a fabulous anthology, and I wasn’t wrong. What I love most about anthologies is that they act like samplers or taster plates that help you discover authors you’ve not read before. Having said that, there will always be a few stories that resonate less on a personal level.

I went into this knowing I’d be treated to stories from authors I already knew and whose work I instinctively trust, like Laurel Hightower, Hailey Piper, Eric LaRocca, Eric Raglin and Scott Moses himself, all of whom I’ve read before.

This one kicked off with a great introduction by Laurel Hightower who also has a fabulous story included in the anthology.

So, which of the stories stood out for me and, in some cases, led me to discover new writers?

With Animals by J.A.W McCarthy led the way with an incredible story. Outstanding! I could write a whole review based on this one piece, but you know...time.

Steph Ellis’s Cry Me a River had a futuristic, somewhat claustrophobic vibe that tore at my heart.

Red Rotary Phone by Tim McGregor was short but sweet, in a heart-breaking way. I’ve always thought that if someone you love goes missing, how much worse the ‘not knowing’ must be. In this story, the compulsion to repeatedly answer the phone, ‘just in case’, the way such grief can never be put to rest comes across so well. Just awful! This story stayed with me for days and is one I will read again.

I Married a Dead Man by Joanna Koch ( a new author for me) with its strong voice, tainted with liquor, was another stand-out. The imagery of the ocean and its biblical reference here is sublime... “She knew my secrets, and she told me a few of her own. Her eyes sparkled. Her tongue tasted the shore. She came and went in foaming waves, flirting with me. She had a lot to say. If I listened too long, I’d turn into a pillar of salt.”

The Wishing Well by Daniel Barnett (another author I’d not read before) was one of my absolute favorites. I loved the anthropomorphic well concept and the strong first person narrative.

Mos Teutonicus by Bryson Richard (another author I hadn’t come across before) was another favorite. This one felt unique and also had great imagery and the feel of an old legend.

Last but not least, all the poetry! I read every single poem at least twice, some three times, in order to dig beneath the layers. These really hit the nail on the head as far as the theme of the anthology was concerned and provided a nice break between some of the longer stories. Shane Douglas Keene’s Seven Snapshots of a Broken Heart offers insight into a mind sick with grief, as does I Have Become a Graveyard by Lex Vranick but in a different way, while The Grievous Art of Compulsion by Avra Margariti was simply beautiful. All of the poems for me were 5 star.

I also enjoyed the notes that followed each piece. I love getting inside the head of other writers and discovering their triggers. To quote Daniel Barnett here: “It’s nice when a story puts a leash on you and takes you for a walk in some new neighborhood and pats you on the head when you’re done.”

My thanks goes to Scott Moses and Sadie Hartmann for providing me with an advanced copy. Now make sure you go out and get it.

[Richard Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t imagine anyone better than Laurel Hightower writing an introduction to ‘What One Wouldn’t Do’, given her novella ‘Crossroads’ so perfectly captures the themes and mood this anthology is focused on. The subject of grief and desperation, specifically the extreme lengths one might go to in order to exorcise these feelings, may not make for particularly cheerful reading, but it certainly makes for a fantastic anthology.

Boasting some big names in literary horror, including Hailey Piper, Eric Larocca and Tim McGregor, as well as some exciting up and comers such as Eric Raglin and J.A.W. McCarthy, ‘What One Wouldn’t Do’ features stories of;

• A haunted house turned tourist attraction and the tragic story behind the building’s spectral resident
• A young girl’s imaginary friend carries dark knowledge that threatens the very real people in her life and the secret that they hoped would remain buried
• A troubled father searching for a daughter lost to him for over twenty years who believes he may find answers, and vengeance, on a lifelong crusade against a sex trafficking ring
• The local legend of an evil presence living in a long-abandoned well that will grant wishes to despairing souls with nothing less to lose. Even so, the price may prove too high to pay.
• A couple with a terrible secret who find themselves in a desperate scramble to lock themselves away from the world, and each other, before their true natures are unleashed
• A grieving son who is desperately seeking answers regarding his father's unexplained death and may find more than he bargained for when a séance takes an unexpected turn

There is a truly impressive diversity of subject matter within the pages of ‘What Wouldn’t Do’, which offers up some outlandish tales involving werewolves, witches, fairies and ghosts, alongside the more grim and gritty stories of child abduction, doomed marriages and unsolved murders. The settings range from dystopian futures, zombie apocalypses and fairy-tale castles to suburban homes, hospital rooms and parking lots. Like all good anthologies, there is a story to suit every taste, but ‘What One Wouldn’t Do’ also avoids the pitfalls of inconsistency, with every short and poem offering something different, but all delivering a quality and engaging story.

Given the subject matter, more light-hearted entries are few and far between. There is some fun to be had with entries such as Angela Sylvaine’s ‘Blood is Thicker’ or Hailey Piper’s ‘The Thread That Dreams are Made of’. At the other end of the spectrum are painfully bleak offerings such as ‘Take Control’ by Emma E. Murray or ‘Ella Minnow’ by Nick Younker (the latter of which is also perhaps my favourite story of the collection). The mix is welcome, as too many dreary tales would make for an immensely downbeat read, whereas too many ‘upbeat’ tales would undoubtedly dilute the message of the book. The balance of the two is perfect.

‘What One Wouldn’t Do’ is packed with beautifully written prose, offering story after story that will linger and stay with you. An unforgettable reading experience and a towering accomplishment.

[Lezlie The Nerdy Narrative · Rating 5 out of 5]

What One Wouldn't Do is the title AND the theme for all of the stories found in this anthology. I had a lot of fun with this one because I decided to try and guess how each author was going to explore the idea of what someone wouldn't do for something by the title. Spoiler alert: I was wrong every time without fail. I still had a lot of fun doing it. (It's the little things....guess my story would have been What One Wouldn't Do for Entertainment, lol)

If you prefer video format, I do have a spoiler free video about this anthology on my YouTube channel that can be found here: https://youtu.be/uv5FgVXt7K0

This horror collection was edited by author Scott J. Moses who did an OUTSTANDING job curating these stories from the huge stack of submissions received. (Definitely wouldn't want THAT job) I was sold on this from the announcement because there were several authors in it that are auto-buys for me, PLUS a pack of authors I've been wanting to check into AND still more authors I'd not heard of but definitely will be getting more of their work! It was an all around win situation for me.

I should mention I did receive an ARC from the editor to read and review. I will also point out that I had no idea it was coming to me and that I had preordered because of two important reasons:
1. The auto buy authors in the collection
2. THE FREAKING GORGEOUS COVER!

I knew I was going to enjoy this anthology - I had no doubt it would be good. I was not expecting the level of quality I got. The first story - WITH ANIMALS by J.A.W. McCarthy knocked it out of the park....and I thought....okay, of course it would start off with a banger. Yet the quality kept showing up in every subsequent story. I was shocked. Honestly. I read one story per night because I wanted to give each story its own time to sink in and roll around in my head, not to be confused with the next one.

There are even a few stories that are written in what I call "verse" - poem format. I am so glad Scott included a handful of these because I was very much wanting to read some and see if it would be a type of format I would enjoy. Turns out, I don't like it very much. Please note this is a personal preference to me and does not reflect on the authors and their ability to craft their art.

To add to how top notch this collection is - at the end of each story, the author wrote a paragraph about what inspired the story/why they wrote it - which I found so fascinating. I'm a reader who LOVES to know the authorial intent behind the literature. To take it one step further - Scott included some of the other works by each author, so when you read one that blew you away, you could simply pick up your phone and place your order.

I'm not going to summarize the stories themselves because the title of the anthology gives you the theme, but I will list below my top favorites:

With Animals by J.A.W. McCarthy
Moira And Ellie by Marisca Pichette
Cry Me A River by Stephanie Ellis
The Opening of the Mouth by Christina Wilder
Conversion by Katie Young
The Witch of Flora Pass by Scott J. Moses
Blood is Thicker by Angela Sylvaine
Monsters Calling Home by Cheri Kamei
Baby Girl by J.V. Gachs
Red Rotary Phone by Tim McGregor
Take Control by Emma E. Murray
Ella Minnow by Nick Younker
The Last Word by Laurel Hightower
Silver Dollar Eyes by Eric Ragland
The Wishing Well by Daniel Barnett
They Don't Eat Teeth by Jena Brown
The Old Switcheroo by Christi Nogle

[Janelle Janson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really love this collection. Full review to come.

[Alex | | findingmontauk1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The minute I saw the lineup for this anthology I knew I had to have it and that it would be great - and it is! And I am glad to have found some more new-t0-me authors in the process of reading some new stories from a few current favorites, too. Laurel Hightower is a phenomenal writer and person and launches this anthology with a wonderful introduction, setting the tone for the rest to follow. There is plenty of grief horror in the mix as well as a range of terror and pain. You will definitely FEEL when reading these stories.

I was surprised (in a good way) that there was poetry included in this anthology - not sure how often I have seen this, but it definitely fit the theme and mood and I relished what I got.

The cover is outstanding. The TOC rules. The editor is top-notch. This is an anthology you need!

[Austrian Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to look at an ARC of this book, the list of contributing authors was the draw for me, there’s some fantastic names included on the TOC, all collected together by the not inconsiderable talent of Scott J.Moses, and with a lush cover from George C.Cotronis, it really is not only eye candy, but candy for the soul. So, what can I tell you about the collection?

J.A.W. McCarthy heads the book, and it’s a fantastic opener. Necromancy, as seen from the pov of the person being reanimated. Fantastic work, it sets the tone for the rest of the book - that desperate need to do anything to bring back a loved one, hold onto a moment that was lost, regain something that has passed, only to have that thing come back but be soured, not what it was at first. That theme rings throughout the book, in as many different ways as there are authors.

The book is a mix, that’s generally the case in anthologies, what resonated with me will land short for others, and vice versa. I found myself spreading the book out over multiple sessions because I was taking notes on all of the stories, and being constantly impressed with the depth and range of shorts on offer here. And whilst most of the big names delivered fantastic atmospheric shorts– Ellis, McCarthy, McGregor, Hightower, LaRocca, it was the surprise firsts (for me) that made the book –

- Shane Douglas Keene’s fantastic poem Seven snapshots of a broken heart – I don’t really read poetry, but this resonated so well with me it made me want to try – that’s nothing short of miraculous given my previous distancing from the genre.

- Jena Brown’s brilliant underemphasized use of the indistinct gender – Their/they – for a character – this is the first use of that tag that I have seen in horror where the author did not make a point of spelling out the reasoning of that term of address – leaving the reader to complete the assumption, and making its use as normal as breathing – fantastic – exactly what we need more of in everyday literature. Other authors, please note - make genderless tags normal.

- J. V. Gach’s sentence “I am a coffin.” Ow. Shit. That hit home. Great line.

- Daniel Barnett’s wonderful word play. “And I wondered if knowing wasn’t the same as owning, just with an extra letter”. – outstanding, Daniel.

So, not only do we have a great range of short stories, we have some real gems in here to shine through. Stand out story? Phew. Man, that’s a tough one. LaRocca’s Werewolf short was a highlight, likewise Hightower’s Medium, and McCarthy’s necromancy made me want to read more, but I’m going to go with Daniel Barnett’s Wishing well for pure atmosphere. Hell, the man can write.

A great collection to be savored, not rushed. 4 stars from me, and many more Authors to buy from.
My thanks to both Scott Moses and Sadie Hartmann for my ARC copy and a week of staying up late to see “what one wouldn’t do…”

[Scott Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

From horror, to crime, to dark fantasy, and magical realism, there's a bit of something for everyone in here. These pieces hit me hard as I was reading submissions for the anthology, and it's my absolute pleasure to share them with you all. I hope they resonate with you as much as they have with me.

Till October 5, then,

—Scott J. Moses

[Paul Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you ask the question, WHAT ONE WOULDN’T DO? and you have no limitations to the answer, you end up with overwhelming creativity that dives into a darkness that you may not be able to escape from.
Grief is very personal, and all of these authors have opened their souls to us, left themselves vulnerable and exposed in a way that is not easily expressed. Deepest fears left raw for you to poke at. Not fear for themselves usually, but for others, and for the price they would be willing to pay.
I wish I could tell you all my favorites but you might as well just read the table of content, even the intro by Laurel Hightower was excellent. While I was reading this I bought from several authors that were previously unknown to me. There were stand out stories by loved authors such as Stephanie Ellis and Daniel Barrett as well as those that I never heard of such as J.A.W. McCarthy, Marisca Pichette, Angela Sylvaine, J.V. Gachs, Nick Younker, and Bob Johnson.

[Michael Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology asks of its authors one simple but devastating question: What lengths would *you* go to?

What would you do to save a loved one? What would you do to save yourself? To feel safe? To get revenge? To gain riches? To right a wrong?

I've never read a collection that made me feel such dread and unease as this one. These stories and poems haunt and linger, making you contemplate what you would do if it were you. The stories were excellent, individually and as a collection. Arranged in a way that made you feel a full arc of emotions, this is a book you can't help but connect with.

Thank you to Scott for sending me an advance copy of this stellar book.

[Danielle (Danni) Vinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are 29 stories and poems in this anthology, all very different and all damn good. I really enjoyed reading all of the authors' interpretations of the theme for this compilation. These are my favourites...

POEMS: To See an Angel — tom reed
Seven Snapshots of A Broken Heart — Shane Douglas Keene
Maze-Minded — Jennifer Crow
I Have Become A Graveyard — Lex Vranick (wow)

STORIES: Red Rotary Phone — Tim McGregor (wow)
Ella Minnow — Nick Younker
The Last Word — Laurel Hightower
Holding — Simone le Roux
They Don't Eat Teeth — Jena Brown (WOW!)
The Old Switcheroo — Christi Nagle

[S.J. Townend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edited by Scott J. Moses, this collection of short horror stories is captivating, original, inclusive, and in many places, dread-inducing and down-right scary. But mostly, in my opinion, it is—surprisingly for a horror collection—a thing of beauty.

WOWD is packed with vivid imagery and plenty of unexpected twists and turns, horror with a pinch of fantasy, some supernatural scares, revenge horror, gothic horror, plenty of psychological shocks and a little body horror (I think there are 29 pieces in total plus an introduction by Laurel Hightower). The thread weaving it all together is one of a deeply menacing mood, salt-and-peppered with quiet literary tones, and a sprinkling of psychological crime-thriller. Melding carefully selected pieces of poetry and prose, Moses has managed to create something hauntingly divine.

My particular favourites include Blood is Thicker (Angela Sylvaine), a tale of sibling rivalry with enough storyline to make a movie, Red Rotary Phone (Tim McGregor), full of suspense, Take Control (Emma E. Murray) and Ella Minnow (by Nick Younker) which both made me cry (bittersweet tears), and The Wishing Well (Daniel Barnett), a classic scare. WOWD is a fabulous introduction to many of the hottest, emerging horror writers on the scene and I’ll certainly be looking up a few of them to see what else they have available to read.

I wouldn’t normally ever pick up a poetry collection, so at first, I was wary of the poetry content (as quite often I just don’t get it), but there was a good balance between the two forms and all of the selected poetry pieces were enjoyable—a nice introduction to dark poetry, dreamy (nightmarish?) in places.

I’ve read a lot of horror anthologies over the last few years and find myself losing interest unless a story grabs my attention in the first couple of paragraphs but the majority of the stories in WOWD had me reeled in immediately. I found it hard to put down, read the entire collection over three evenings and about twelve mugs of tea, and was sad when it finished—What One Wouldn’t Do to somehow eradicate one’s memory in order to be able to indulge in this masterful collection a second time with virginal eyes and mind!

Thank you all involved with this great contribution to horror literature. I would highly recommend this anthology to anyone who enjoys quiet, moody, and literary horror.

[Rachel (sheepyreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What One Wouldn't Do for...what?

Power? Safety? Love? Revenge?

Here's to the lengths one might go to for everything.”

Thank you so much to the wonderful @scottj_moses for sending an arc copy of his new anthology!

This was my kind of horror anthology. So many talented and different point of view of the lengths we would go as humans to get what we want/need/desire. I am a very character driven reader, so I’m always so interested in the human behavior. This anthology was a real character study. Although it is heavy on grief horror and very emotional, there are a lot of other horror sub genres present in this collection. I love it so much.

Some of my personal favorites include:

🩸Blood is Thicker by @angela_sylvaine

🖤Ella Minnow by Nick Younker

🔮The Last Word by @laurelhightower

🪙Silver Dollar Eyes by @ericraglin1992

🌕All the Misery That Waits for Us at the End of the Day by @ejlarocca

🐷They Don’t Eat Teeth by @jenabrownwrites

[D.K. Hundt · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT ONE WOULDN’T DO An Anthology on the Lengths One Might Go To Edited by Scott J. Moses

The Following Are My Favorites:

‘With Animals’ – by J.A.W. McCarthy – Love This One!

‘The first time Ezra brings me back, thirty seagulls fall from the sky.’

‘The Grievous Art of Compulsion’ – by Avra Margariti – The last line is beautifully perfect and heartbreaking (Not included here).

‘Sleep, sweet son, and dream what you like best./ This, I whispered in your ear during the latest siege / of our jeweled city, our home for all your young life.’

‘Moira and Ellie’ – by Marisca Pichette – Wow, Love this one! I wasn’t expecting that ending.

‘Radha got her imaginary friend before me. We were walking home from school on Tuesday when she stopped and stared at the fence. I kept walking until I realized she wasn’t with me anymore. When I looked back, she was smiling.’

‘Cry Me a River’ – by Stephanie Ellis – WOW! As A Mother, My Heart.

‘It wasn’t even really a gym. It was officially a Generator Unit, an addition to the bunker’s power supply dreamt up by the council’s scientists. It was one of the few remaining places in the complex capable of adding to the power grid, and the incubator was a greedy beast.’

‘The Opening of the Mouth’– by Christina Wilder’ – Love This One!

‘I cut through the thread that’s woven between your lips. Your mouth is stained a dark red, and a memory emerges…’

‘Traditional Women’ – by Donna Lynch – That Was Good

A simpler time/ overflowing with tragedy/ and ironic curses/ We’ve always said / you can’t appreciate what you have/ if you don’t know what it is to lose

‘Conversion’ – by Katie Young – That Was Good!

‘Looking back now, I wonder if it was chance that led us to find Saint Augustine’s or whether something else was at play even then.’

‘The Witch of Flora Pass’ – by Scott J. Moses – That Was Good!

‘My name is Thomas Reardon, and I did not kill my wife. I want to be absolutely sure the one recording this typed that correctly. Her hand is quick, and I must ensure that inattention to my words does not birth me a death sentence.’

‘Blood is Thicker’ - by Angela Sylvaine – WoW! That Was Good!

‘They were twins, but of the fraternal variety, merely siblings born one after the other. Viviane was thirteen minutes older and stood three inches taller…Viviane liked to joke that Diane had spoiled a bit during those extra minutes in their mother’s womb, coming out bruised and soft like an overripe piece of fruit.’

‘Baby Girl’ – by J.V. Gachs – Love the ending

‘Just two words. A simple incantation to destroy a world. The doctor speaks as I wipe off the ultrasound gel.’

‘Red Rotary Phone’ - by Tim MacGregor – My Heart!

‘Take Control’ – by Emma E. Murray – That. Was. Intense!

‘Ella Minnow’ – by Nick Younker – Wow! That Was Good!

‘Maze-Minded’– by Jennifer Crow – Love This One!

‘We stitch ourselves/ into the labyrinth,/ walls tapestried/ with silk cocoons/ and torn webs/ where our knives/ carve away/for nightmares/ to cross into flesh.’

‘I Married A Dead Man’ – by Joanna Koch - Love Koch’s Writing

‘The rules change down at the docks after dark. That’s where I’d find him, where daytime people masquerade, donning their desires inside-out, so the raw truth shows…Things go on that don’t stand up to logic and light, things that need to happen so the daytime world can keep on kidding itself that it’s all merry and bright.’

‘I Have Become A Graveyard’ – by Lex Vranick – Love!

‘I carry them with me, these past-tense people./ But I can’t ever seem to keep them in the past./They were here once, and aren’t they still?

‘The Last Word’ – by Laurel Hightower – That Was Good!

‘Silver Dollar Eyes’ – by Eric Raglin – My Heart!

‘The Wishing Well’ – by Daniel Barnett – That Was Good!

I love the description Barnett uses to set the scene here:

‘There were floorboards in the kitchen that groaned even when no one was walking on them. There was the rain gutter that had come loose outside and conspired with the wind to tickle and scratch the walls. Windows clicked in their frames. The chimney told secrets under its breath. I listened, and I listened, and I shivered all the worse until the only warm part of me was the blood leaking out of my leg.’

‘Holding’– by Simone le Roux – WOW! That Was Good!

‘The Thread That Dreams Are Made Of’ – by Hailey Piper – Love This One!

‘They Don’t Eat Teeth’ - by Jena Brown – Love This One!

‘She’s learned how to navigate this treacherous land. How to avoid the raging floods that come out of nowhere and the importance of watching for creatures the color of sand. It’s the deadly side of nature that appeals to her. There’s no bullshit here. Only life. Only death. And a blink between the two.’

‘The desert adjusts to her intrusion, coming alive with every footstep. Predators hunt, and prey tries to hide, both following instincts centuries old. She does the same.’

‘The Old Switcheroo’ - by Christi Nogle – That Was Good!


Thank you, Scott J. Moses, for providing me with an eBook of WHAT ONE WOULDN’T DO at the request of an honest review.

[Jacob Mohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confession time, boys and ghouls...

This reviewer loves horror anthologies.

I have long believed that the short story (or episode, if you're glued to the tube) is the ideal vehicle for fictional frights; that makes the anthology the perfect format to enjoy your horror fiction in. You get your short sharp shocks in grand variety, usually revolving around some predetermined theme. You come to expect this variety, as well as the seemingly requisite uneven-ness that comes with it. In any anthology, it's almost impossible that every story therein will be a winner.

WHAT ONE WOULDN'T DO satisfies on the count of variety - but better still, thanks to extremely skilled editing by one Scott J Moses, the volume is remarkably even in terms of quality as well! With the exception of the horror-poetry (which just isn't my bag, and I won't be discussing much) and the instance of one out-of-place fable, WHAT ONE WOULDN'T DO is a steak dinner... juicy and delicious and ultimately quite moving in its totality.

I won't bore you discussing the excellent premise; better reviewers than I have discussed it already in greater detail and with higher skill than I could replicate here. Instead, let's start talking about the individual stories eh?

1. "With Animals" by J.A.W. McCarthy - a great start, and the perfect way to establish how this antho functions. Deeply sad as well; a well-formed primer on what "grief horror" is.

2. "Moira and Ellie" by Marisca Pichette - darker than "With Animals," and cyclical in the nature of its terror. A fine "second single" from the album of frights. Establishes the variety "grief horror" is capable of, as well as how mean it can be to its characters.

3. "Cry Me a River" by Stephanie Ellis - a post-apocalyptic piece! Almost farcical in how mean-spirited the characters are - this is a cruel story, in the best of ways.

4. "The Opening of the Mouth" by Christina Wilder - very Creepshow in form and subject matter. Quite gruesome. Love me a good story of obsession.

5. "Conversion" by Katie Young - as a Catholic myself, one whose father converted for his mother when they married, I always imagined this is what might happen if it didn't "take."

6. "The Witch of Flora Pass" by Scott J Moses - fitting indeed that the editor's own contribution to the collection would be the first that really scared me; this is just a really unsettling story about people driven to gruesome and unspeakable ends. Also: I love me a good witch story!

7. "Blood is Thicker" by Angela Sylvaine - a great EC Comics-style plot let down slightly by writing that's a little too weak, a little too direct. This is a "message" story that's ultimately salvaged by how mean-spirited it's willing to be, but only just. Not bad, but not a favorite.

8. "Monsters Calling Home" by Cheri Kamei - just wonderful. Steeped in excellent lore, with an almost uncharacteristically adventurous spirit. I would read a whole novel about these characters, a novel of which this story would also function splendidly as a first chapter.

9. "Baby Girl" by J.V. Gachs - holy shit, this one is grim. From the opening alone you feel the agony and revulsion the character must be feeling, but as this slips back into fascination and love things only get darker from there. "I am a coffin" is a great line - and what is it that sleeps in coffins?

10. "Red Rotary Phone" by Tim McGregor - what makes this one work is how ambiguous it's willing to leave things. This is only the visible part of the iceberg; what lies beneath lies in shadow and cold. Great stuff.

11. "Take Control" by Emma E. Murray - sometimes "what one wouldn't do" is simply be the bravest you've ever had to be. I've always admired stories that capture just how difficult it can be to be a scared child and also a brave child at the same time.

12. "Ella Minnow" by Nick Younker - a devilish twist on this one. Twist the knife, sir!

13. "I Married a Dead Man" by Joanna Koch - a little too steeped in metaphor and code for my taste, but the writing is beautiful. I couldn't tell what was going on half the time, but I didn't find myself caring too much by the end. An emotional piece to be sure.

14. "The Last Word" by Laurel Hightower - not exactly scary, but with frightening concepts; I do wish we'd learned what the title referred to... the ambiguity didn't seem to serve the plot in the same way that "Red Rotary Phone's" did.

15. "Silver Dollar Eyes" by Eric Raglin - a really smart horror concept. In my opinion, this story expands what the ghost story is capable of.

16. "All the Misery That Waits For Us at the End of the Day" by Eric LaRocca - it turns out, I much prefer LaRocca's short fiction to his novellas. A great lycanthrope concept that explores the quiet agony maintaining such a lifestyle brings on one.

17. "The Wishing Well" by Daniel Barnett - genuinely terrifying, with a lighting bolt of a closing line. High marks from this reviewer.

18. "Closing the Figure Eight" by Bob Johnston - at first, deeply sad... then tragically optimistic, by the end. I smiled at the end, but I'm not sure that was the point. Maybe I've fallen for the trap of time travel too. Truly moving stuff.

19. "Holding" by Simone le Roux - a grim piece that explores what we're willing to do to stay where we are, to feel like we belong. It turns out, we're willing to discard our humanity. Or at least, the protagonist is. I'd read more about this character.

20. "The Thread That Dreams Are Made Of" by Hailey Piper - reminds me of something Neil Gaiman would write on the subject, down to the style and the Gaiman-esque title. Sometimes the author wears their influence too brightly on the sleeve, but this one is still fun.

21. "Mos Teutonicus" by Bryson Richard - my stand-out favorite. A deliciously transgressive medieval tale that reminds me of what Clive Barker would write if he tried his hand at sword-and-sandal. And what a wicked, wicked twist! Tres gross.

22. "They Don't Eat Teeth" by Jena Brown - in my opinion, the weakest of the lot, as well as the outlier... I'm just not sure what this story is doing in this volume. It's just a straightforward revenge narrative and torture sequence with no variation or twist to it. I would say it hardly even fits the theme. Fun in a cathartic sense, but even that's let down by some weak writing in spots.

23. "The Old Switcheroo" by Christi Nogle - a great way to cap things off; if you thought there wasn't anything more you could do with zombies in horror fiction, you'd be wrong-o, friend-o!

MY MOST FAVORITES:
"Mos Teutonicus"
"Baby Girl"
'Monsters Calling Home"

MY LEAST FAVORITES:
"They Don't Eat Teeth"
"The Last Word"
"I Married a Dead Man"

[Erik McHatton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watching the journey that Scott J. Moses went through to get this book published might have been worthy of a story in the book itself. His refreshingly frank and open process was a roller coaster to watch, and the ensuing fallout was harrowing and heart-wrenching. The result, thankfully, is much better than any ending the book has to offer. Simply put, What One Wouldn’t Do is an excellent anthology, and a testament to both Moses’s tastes, and his skill as an editor.

Of the twenty-seven pieces presented, both poetry and prose, none were bad, and only a few of them failed to connect with me as a reader. Even in those cases, I believe the problem lies merely with my personal tastes, and not with the skill of the authors.

Mr. Moses reveals himself to be somewhat of a romantic with the selections he’s chosen, as many of the stories involve heart-achingly horrible choices and outcomes. Many times I found myself genuinely moved, and on the verge of tears. For a collection of stories such as this, I don't believe I could pay a higher compliment.

From rousing stories of adventure, to quiet tales of friendship, marriage, and parenthood, prepare to be taken on journeys through the depths of human desperation, asking yourself over and over if you might do the same in each instance. Prepare to be horrified to find that you just might.

I really enjoyed this book, and I hope that Scott Moses will one day take the journey again, harrowing though it may be, and bring us another collection. Although, don’t ask me what I might be willing to do to make that happen.

Stand-out stories for me include: J.A.W McCarthy’s “With Animals”, Angela Sylvaine’s “Blood is Thicker”, tom reed’s poem “To See an Angel”, Cheri Kamei’s “Monsters Calling Home”, Eric Raglin’s “Silver Dollar Eyes”, Simone Le Roux’s “Holding”, and Christi Nogle’s “The Old Switcheroo”

Note: Mr. Moses provided me with an ARC in exchange for a fair review.

[Sameena Hussain · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and creepy collection of short stories that I thoroughly enjoyed. Most of them were 4 or 5 star reads and I was impressed by just how good they were. Gritty and dark, What One Wouldn't Do is grief and survival horror with more than one kind of monster. There's something in here for everyone.

I also love the eerie cover.

I've never been the first to rate/review a book before. (Thrilling!)

Thank you to Sadie (@mother.horror & @nightworms) for the ARC.

[Yvonne (the putrid Shelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What One Wouldn’t Do is a horror anthology edited by Scott J. Moses. The title does exactly what it says on the tin. It contains stories that delve into the deepest recesses of the mind. How far would you be willing to go to protect the ones you love or stop someone finding out a secret? These stories are perpetually locked in the darkness. The key lies in the dark but is unattainable by human means. The anthology contained stories from some beloved horror authors but also from authors who are new to me but impressed me all the same.

Horror short stories is a format that works incredibly well. They get straight to the point, slicing that jugular up nice and swift, all the spectrums of human emotion are on show. What I just love about horror though, is just how humane it is…bear with me. Often authors write about it because it is human. They want to investigate the why and the how, why we do what we do. Grief, fear, anguish, and mental health are all states the brain can emit and it often gives us a deeper meaning of why people behave the way they do.

An introduction from Laurel Hightower, queen of grief horror and we get great insight into why she does what she does and what can be expected from this anticipated anthology.
Some stories that left a lasting impact on me were With Animals by J.A.W. McCarthy. This was the perfect opening and tread the fine line between grief and love. Cry Me a River by Stephanie Ellis, as can always be expected from Ellis you get the atmosphere and the story – she instils cold dread into your veins with her immersive and taught narrative.

The Witch of Flora Pass by Scott J. Moses, another story so well crafted and executed that I know I will return to this author in the future. Seven Snapshots of a Broken Heart by Shane Douglas Keene, a poem that nearly broke me. It’s beautiful in its imagery and the mental picture of pain that is painted. Bloody brilliant.
I Married a Dead Man by Joanna Koch – I’ve read some of Koch’s work before and always love that dark place she’s able to take the reader to. This story tackles societal demands and expectations and kicks them in the arse! The Last Word by Laurel Hightower delves into grief once again with a story about psychic mediums, I won’t say another word about it and will allow you to get the full experience.

All The Misery That Waits for us at the End of the Day by Eric LaRocca. There isn’t a thing that Eric writes that I will not read, this was phenomenal. A werewolf story that not only blew my socks off but it took the skin away too! I felt my breath quicken in anticipation of what would come next.
Its not often that I read an anthology and enjoy each story but that is the case with What One Wouldn’t Do. The sense of dread immediate, it will sit in your head for days.

[Chandra Claypool (WhereTheReaderGrows) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok. Fine. Horror, you win (as if there would ever be any other way). I think I have now succumbed to the fact that I can read anthologies and short stories and be perfectly satisfied. And have you SEEN the list of contributors to this collection? *BONKERS*

But, before you start wondering if this is really me, I'm still not sure about poetry, though if I'm going to read it, it will most definitely be horror and some of them in here are starting to make me succumb to them as well. Damn you, I love you. I wish I had taken the time to list the stories and make a comment about them so I could give a little taste to y'all for each one but alas, I did not. But I will tell you some of the stand outs for me - but really, they're all creepy fun of WHAT ONE WOULDN'T DO. And I LOVE the little notes at the end of each story of author info and how they came up with each one.

The Grievous Art of Compulsion really snagged me and I LOVED it. Baby Girl really got to me as a person who has suffered from miscarriages and infertility. Cathartic and I thank Gachs for writing something that is usually considered "forbidden topic". Red Rotary Phone - I remember the case where this idea sprang from so *shiver*. YES. They Don't Eat Teeth - it's like Jena knew exactly what kind of story I needed to read. I'm just going to assume she wrote it for me. 😉 I could likely mention every single one and something I liked about each, but you'll just have to grab this collection. Oh what I wouldn't do to make you read it. 😏

[Heather Daughrity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the most hauntingly beautiful collection of stories I've ever had the pleasure to read.

The stories contained in this book ask that titular question. They explore the things we cherish and the lengths we would go to in order to save them, own them, hold them one last time. They face down the deep secret answers of what little one wouldn't do for the sake of one's most precious treasures.

Most of the entries are short stories, a few flow across the pages as poetic prose, all are full of sadness and grief and longing. I found myself disgusted by some, disturbed by others, drawn deep into each one.

Many of of the stories deal with the loss of a child. Any parent can attest that they would go to any extreme to save their children, and these stories hit hard in the depths of my gut. Some stories speak to the loss of other loved ones. Some examine the desire for power, vengeance, answers, peace.

This is grief horror at its most beautiful, some stories plucking gently at your despair and some reaching in full-fisted to rip your heart out, still pumping.

These are stories which bear contemplation long after the last page has been read. I know I'll be thinking on them for a long while.

A perfectly curated collection: kudos to Scott J Moses for his excellent taste and discernment as editor.

Get this one. Read it alone in the quiet, in the dark hours of twilight or the cool moments of calm before the sun rises. Sit with these stories. They deserve it.

[Natascha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eine wirklich gelungene Kurzgeschichtensammlung die sich mit dem Thema Tod auseinandersetzt und mich den ganzen Monat über begleitet hat. Dabei hat sie mir einige neue Autoren und Autorinnen beschert, die ich in Zukunft sicher im Auge behalten werde. Besonders gut gefallen haben mir:

* Moira and Ellie von Marisca Pichette
* Seven Snapshots of a Broken Heart von Shane Douglas Keene
* Baby Girl von J.V. Gachs
* Red Rotary Phone von Tim McGregor
* Take Control von Emma E. Murray
* Ella Minnow von Nick Younker
* The Last Word von Laurel Hightower

[Aina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up! This is an incredible collection of 29 horror stories and poems on the theme of grief. It asks how far would a person go when they’re driven by heartbreak? The stories are original, diverse and creative. They made me feel a range of emotions; from sorrow, anger, shock, joy, even hope. It’s hard to pick favourites but these were the standouts for me:

• “With Animals” (J.A.W McCarthy) - a man revives his best friend after her death with devastating consequences

• “Moira and Ellie” (Marisca Pichette) - a moving story set in a world where imaginary friends are actually ghosts

• “Cry Me A River” (Stephanie Ellis) - a dystopian nightmare where a mother will do anything to save her child

• “Silver Dollar Eyes” (Eric Raglin) - the owner of a haunted house attraction uses a real ghost, until she rebels

• “The Witch of Flora Pass” (Scott J. Moses) - a man’s harrowing testimony where he denies killing his wife

• “Mos Teutonicus” (Bryson Richard) - a historical horror where a soldier’s obsession leads him down a dark path

• “Baby Girl” (J.V. Gachs) - a pregnant woman offers a sacrifice for her unborn baby

• “Traditional Women” (Donna Lynch) - a poem about embracing the role of vengeful women

I’ve read many anthologies this year and this ranks as one of the best. Don’t miss it!

CW: child death, sexual assault, domestic abuse, physical violence

Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.

book blog | twitter | instagram

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

video review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8UcZ...

What a huge collection of stories exploring the lengths people will go to succeed, or to protect a loved one, or to survive. This collection is loaded with so many great stories. Quite a few of these stories broke me.

This is definitely a collection of stories that will hit people in different ways. It’s a collection of basically every single emotion you can possibly think of, and then some.

To kick things off, Scott somehow landed Laurel Hightower to write the introduction. And you all know how I feel about Laurel Hightower. Everything she touches is pure platinum, so there couldn’t have been anyone better to start things off with. To add to it, there are several heavy-hitters in this collection. Eric LaRocca, Daniel Barnett, Laurel wrote one, Hailey Piper, Eric Raglin, so many that I’ve reviewed before. So I knew to expect excellence, and that is exactly what I got.

What I also got was a discovery of some fresh new voices. Some writers I experienced for the first time. And trust me when I say this, they did not disappoint.

J.A.W. McCarthy laid down the challenge with the first story in the collection “With Animals.” I was hooked from the get go. The story “Baby Girl” from J.V. Gachs broke me. I was literally in pieces. And just when I didn’t think I could be broken anymore, I read “Ella Minnow” by Nick Younker. Holy shit.

Katie Young, Emma Murray, Marisca Pichette. This is the first time I’ve read stories from a lot of these writers and I found a lot of enjoyment.

Something I really loved about this anthology is that it included pieces of poetry. It wasn’t just story after story, but mixed in poetry to break it up some. I loved this concept.

You’ll get to experience poetry from Avra Margariti, Donna Lynch, Jennifer Crow and a few others mixed in. With all fitting the theme of the anthology perfectly.

Something else I found fascinating is the little snippets at the end of each story. The author is telling us how or where the story originated. We get a little peak into the mind of the creator.
This anthology has it all. Packed full of goodness.

The stories themselves are nicely crafted pieces of worked, with fine details and interactive narration. These stories deal with a wide range of emotionally charged scenarios, ranging from child abductions, to war, to abortion, abuse, secrets, grief, heartbreak, and other devastating events. Be warned, there are several sensitive subjects within this collection some may find triggering at times.

Stories including witches and fairies and ghosts in various settings like a dystopian future or during the apocalypse, all over the place, this will surely fill your taste for gripping involved stories.

Instead of telling you about every story, I want your reaction to be true and organic, because I think there are a lot of jaw dropping moments throughout this collection.

The same goes for picking my favorites. I can tell you “Take Control” by Emma Murray or “Ella Minnow” by Nick Younker are my favorites. They may very well be, right now. That can very well change to “Baby Girl” from J.V. Gachs or “Silver Dollar Eyes” by Eric Raglin. Trying to pick my favorites out of this collection would be such a hard chore causing me to lose sleep.

Outstanding. I can’t really say much more about this collection. I felt drained when I finished some of the stories, while also finding myself with a smirk on my face reading Daniel Barnett’s little word play. You’ll have to read the story to know what I’m talking about it.

I had a lot of thoughts on some of them. With the events in the story sticking with me at times well after finishing the story.

It’s a bit scary, you can really lose yourself in this collection and not even realize you’re lost.

[J.A.W. McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I have a story in this anthology. Never mind that, though; I want to talk about the other stories in this book.

WOWD gets a rare 5 stars from me. Anthologies are hard to rate, as there is always a story or two that just doesn't work for me. Not so with WOWD. Scott J. Moses put together a truly impressive book. Every take on the theme is unique and gripping. Many stories surprised me. Every story held my attention and impressed me in one way or another. That's why it's so hard to chose favorites.

I do want to shine a light on a few, though, that truly moved me. These are the stories I'm still thinking about:

"I Married a Dead Man" by Joe Koch - Stunning prose (of course). This story is alive, serpentine like the sea that is always lurking on the pages.

"Red Rotary Phone" by Tim McGregor - Sharp, clear, crushing. Human cruelty that lingers.

"The Last Word" by Laurel Hightower - A perfect circle.

"The Old Switcheroo" by Christi Nogle - Fascinating characters. There was no other way to end this anthology.

"The Thread That Dreams Are Made Of" by Hailey Piper - I feel weird saying this about a story that is quite sad, but it was delightful.

"Silver Dollar Eyes" by Eric Raglin - Brilliant concept, well told.

"The Witch of Flora Pass" by Scott J. Moses - I gasped at that reveal.

"All the Misery that Waits for Us at the End of the Day" by Eric LaRocca - How fear consumes, the same as love, the same as nature.

"The Wishing Well" by Daniel Barnett - Great prose with a realistic voice.

"They Don't Eat Teeth" by Jena Brown - Rich characters, and very satisfying.

"The Grievous Art of Compulsion" by Avra Margariti - What a striking poem.

I could write about every story and poem in here; it was so hard to narrow it down to these favorites. In short, read this book! Well done, everyone!

[Emma E. Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I’m an author of a story in this anthology, so I might be biased, but this is still an honest review.

This anthology truly blew me away with the depth of emotion in each and every story and poem. There wasn’t a single entry that I didn’t love, and there is definitely something for everyone in here, from classic horror to grief horror to crime to fantasy, and from absolutely heartbreaking to beautifully hopeful.

It’s hard to pick favorites because they were all really impressive, but the biggest stand outs to me were:

“With Animals” by J.A.W. McCarthy—original and beautifully executed
“Moira and Ellie” by Marisca Pichette—imaginary friends are ghosts is such a cool concept!
“Ella Minnow” by Nick Younker—also very original and broke my heart
“I Married a Dead Man” by Joanna Koch—lyrical and mesmerizing
“The Last Word” by Laurel Hightower—such a powerful exploration of grief
“Silver Dollar Eyes” by Eric Raglin—a unique, emotional rollercoaster of a ghost story
“All the Misery That Waits for Us at the End of the Day” by Eric LaRocca—I usually don’t care for werewolves, but I loved this one
“The Old Switcheroo” by Christi Nogle—a really strong closing story

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be an author in this anthology and so have a vested interest but I believe I have a duty to my fellow writers within these pages to praise them for a wonderful collection.
Their stories and poems examine many facets of loss and suffering and what one would do to bring that to an end or to stop it happening in the first place. Gentleness exists alongside darkness, forgiveness alongside condemnation, modern reality alongside fairy tale tropes. Human pain leaps from the page and the reader is unable to sit in judgement - after all what would they do?

I cannot highlight a favourite, every single story and poem had a claim to become the standout, which says a lot for the excellence of their execution. Much praise also to editor Scott J. Moses for the concept and delivery.

[John Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you love horror with depth and emotion? Horror that makes you feel, and tugs at your heart? If you do, this is an anthology for you. Scott J. Mosses puts on the editor hat, and wears it well. His debut as an editor is successful, and I’m eager to see if he continues down that path.

Some of my favorite stores were from
Scott J. Moses
Laurel Hightower
Daniel Barnett
Stephanie Ellis
J.A.W. McCarthy

I really have nothing bad to say about this, and loved it. Each story is well done, each story has a place here. Nothing felt like filler, I only took a star away because personally I’m not a fan of poetry. I suspect those who are will get even further mileage. Check this one out!

[Clare Lune · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off to go on a book buying spree after finishing this.

A very well-curated collection. My favorites were the ones by Angela Sylvaine, Joe Koch, and Laurel Hightower.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Grief is a deep, dark, looming shadow, the threads of which seep into our beings, tighten around our hearts, and change our very souls…

…loss is personal, as are the ways we mourn it.” – Laurel Hightower, introduction to What One Wouldn’t Do.

WOAH.

I’ve had an incredibly hard time coming up with a review for this anthology, friends. Every story, every poem (even the introduction!) makes you feel something — resonates with you, or just straight up shocks you. What an absolutely stunning collection.

I loved the range of horror — a melting pot of grief, supernatural, fairytale, and even real-life tragedy. And one of my favorite things about this collection is the blurb each author wrote on their inspiration for each story. It’s a deeply personal glimpse into the art that I quite appreciated.

I marked every story that I overly enjoyed with a post-it, but that would be too many to list lol. So, a few of my favorites that have stayed in my head rent free since finishing are:

With Animals – J.A.W. McCarthy
Moira and Ellie - Marisca Pichette
Take Control – Emma E. Murray
Conversion – Katie Young
Cry Me a River – Stephanie Ellis
Blood Is Thicker - Angela Sylvaine
Ella Minnow - Nick Younker

Thank you to the editor, Scott, for an arc. I couldn’t recommend an anthology more. 5 well-deserved ⭐️.

[P.L. McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of this anthology for review but everything I’ve written is my honest opinion!

I’ll just get this out of the way: I don’t really read poetry. I did just skip over the poetry selections in this collection, my apologies to those writers, and this review does not reflect the poems at all — because I didn’t read them.

Onto my review! I think a part of me was expecting more horror in this collection. Don’t get me wrong, every story in this collection is dark for sure, but sometimes they have more of a sorrowful tinge to it rather than a horrific one. Despite that, I found each tale gripping and enjoyed them all. I do have a few standout favourites though, which include:

“With Animals” – the anthology started off strong with J.A.W. McCarthy’s tale of friendship and sacrifice. The descriptions, characters, and unfolding of such an eerie tale was a haunting experience. I really loved the author’s take on what the aftermath might be like.

“Cry Me A River” – a dark heart-wrenching tale of a mother’s love that has heavy Black Mirror vibes. I can totally see this as an episode! I really liked the futuristic/dystopian setting, as well as the world-building.

“Blood is Thicker” – what would happen to those lovely, witchy sisters from Practical Magic if their ambition had gotten the best of them, and they resort to the blackest of rituals? This story is equal parts heartbreaking and thrilling. The ending also rather took me by surprise, so overall – chef’s kiss!

“Monsters Calling Home” – this story was magnificent! A strange, dystopian planet ruled by a horrifying, mysterious kaiju and two sisters off on an ocean journey to save their island. Heart-wrenching, eerie, and beautifully written. This tale really hit all the right notes for me. Well done!

“Mos Teutonicus” – not for the faint of heart, this tale is dark, morbid, gag-reflex inducing, and reads like a messed up graveyard fairy tale. Actually, the story reminded me of something you might find in an issue of Heavy Metal, I could very clearly picture every gruesome detail.

So my final verdict? I think this anthology has a lot of amazing stories (and maybe even poetry for those into that kind of stuff) and is definitely worth picking up.

[J.R. Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent anthology, very well put together and one of the best of an year that for me, has been mostly dominated by anthologies - illustrated man, razor blades in my head, too many eyes, crossroads at midnight, etc.

Of all the contributions for What One Wouldn't Do, I want to give a special mention to
Baby girl, Mos Teutonicus, Blood is Thicker, To See An Angel and Red Rotary Phone which were my absolute favorites.