A Hint of Hitchcock: Stories Inspired by the Master of Suspense

by Cameron Trost, Josh Pachter, Rebecca A. Demarest

One name springs to mind when we think of classic suspense films; Alfred Hitchcock. His silhouette is instantly recognisable as no one else has quite the same pouty lips and round, chubby face. The way he posed for photographs and his penchant for making cameo appearances in his films bear witness to his larger-than-life personality, but it was his ability to tell a spellbinding tale coupled with his technical brilliance that earned him the epithet of "Master of Suspense". His groundbreaking use of camera movement and the way he framed shots to maximise anxiety and fear place films like "Vertigo" among the very finest examples of creative achievement ever produced within the seventh art. In "Rear Window", he builds edge-of-your-seat tension by placing us in James Stewart's wheelchair and making us watch events unroll through his eyes, and the use of cutting-edge special effects in "The Birds" is almost as impressive as the fact that more than three thousand birds were trained for the film. What else do these three films mentioned have in common, along with "Psycho" and "Rebecca" and so many others? That's right...they were based on novels or short stories; the written word. In "A Hint of Hitchcock", we turn our attention back from the screen to the page, and bring you, the avid suspense reader, modern tales that chill and surprise, all inspired by the work of the master of suspense.

Better Not Look Down - Josh Pachter
Golden Curls - Rebecca A. Demarest
More Than Suspicion - Joseph S. Walker
Paranoia - Paulene Turner
The Suitcase - Jason Fischer
Rebecca Redux - Elizabeth Elwood
Highwayman's Hitch - Cameron Trost
Relish - David Carroll
Karma is a Thief in the Night - Roger Johns
Scallion's Head - H.K. Stubbs
Closed Circuit - Mark Blackham
Vault - Andy Rausch

Genres: Horror

293 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2022

About the author

Cameron Trost is an author of mystery, suspense, post-apocalyptic, and horror fiction best known for his puzzles featuring Oscar Tremont, Investigator of the Strange and Inexplicable. He has written four novels, Dead on the Dolmen, Flicker, The Tunnel Runner, and Letterbox, and three collections, Oscar Tremont, Investigator of the Strange and Inexplicable, Hoffman's Creeper and Other Disturbing Tales, and The Animal Inside. He runs the independent press, Black Beacon Books, and is a member of the Australian Crime Writers Association and The Short Mystery Fiction Society. Originally from Brisbane, Australia, his home is now in southern Brittany, between the rugged coast and treacherous marshland.

I aim to rate every book I finish and I usually leave a short review. I rarely leave one-star or two-star ratings. If I don't like a book, I won't finish or rate it. I'm here to share good reads.

Reviewers: Send me a message if you'd like to receive ebook copies for review.

Authors: If you'd like to suggest I review your book, get in touch via my blog: https://trostlibrary.blogspot.com/p/b...

You can find me on Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, BookBub, TikTok, and other platforms. Complete links here: https://linktr.ee/camerontrost

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of Hitchcock-inspired tales from an inventive group of authors who know how to keep a reader in suspense. Highly recommended.

[L.P. Ring · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these new spins on Hitchcock films with nods to classics like Rebecca, Suspicion, and Rear Window among others. A particular favorite of mine was the story 'Relish', which blends Hitchcock with another great genre director of the 20th Century (won't say whom as I've spoiled enough already). Collections like these give writers the opportunity to approach material with a new set of eyes as well as giving readers a chance to renew their love of all favorites. Whether it's a terrorised spouse, femme fatale, or (occasionally) bungling everyman, there are plenty of characters here to enjoy.

[Deborah Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Editor Cameron Trost has curated an entertaining anthology that pays loving homage to Hitchcock's films. There are Hitchcockian staples such as MacGuffins, charming villains, murders, red herrings, and character-based suspense. While each story involves thrilling elements, the varying subgenres make this anthology a mixed bag of lollies, so you never know what to expect. Great fun!

[David Schembri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of mystery tales. Surprise twists and unexpected outcomes lurk around each corner. A joy to read. Highly recommended.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with most anthologies, I liked some stories better than others. For the most part, however, these were entertaining and had a good suspenseful feel. I am not a connoisseur of Hitchcock so I can't say much about how they played with the movies, but I enjoyed the stories and the sometimes unexpected endings.

[Stephen Bacon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the premise of this book - it's an anthology of short stories inspired by the works of Alfred Hitchcock, which I thought was a great theme - however the results left me rather underwhelmed. Not that there are any particularly bad stories, but neither are there any stand-outs. It just plods along in a rather safe and workmanlike manner. I hadn't heard of any of the contributors or the editor but the author bios at the back confirmed these are not emerging writers but rather already established ones, which makes the whole thing even more disappointing. It was fun to spot the links to Hitchcock but just a day after finishing the book there isn't a single story that my mind has returned to.