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The Fourth Corona Book of Horror Stories
After a two-year hiatus, Corona Books UK are back with The Fourth Corona Book of Horror Stories, containing twenty of the best new horror short stories you will find anywhere this -- or any -- year.
- GenresHorror
252 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2022
8 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Lewis Williams
8 books6 followersThey say to be a successful author you should pick one genre and stick to it. Lewis Williams hasn't exactly followed that advice: having written his first book on the singer Scott Walker, he followed that with a serious academic work on social policy, which he then followed with a trilogy of limerick books that were absolutely, categorically nothing remotely like his earlier books. His latest book projects include a revised and updated edition of Scott Walker: The Rhymes of Goodbye (published Plexus, London 2019) and editing all four volumes of the Corona Book of Horror Stories book series, including 2019's The Third Corona Book of Horror Stories with stories selected from over 800 submissions and this year's (2022's) "comeback" edition The Fourth Corona Book of Horror Stories.
Lewis has two degrees in philosophy (which number might be considered two too many) and worked for a number of years in a number of different roles for Oxford University before his ignominious departure from its employ. You can find out more about him by visiting his website www.lewiswilliams.com
Lewis has two degrees in philosophy (which number might be considered two too many) and worked for a number of years in a number of different roles for Oxford University before his ignominious departure from its employ. You can find out more about him by visiting his website www.lewiswilliams.com
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 8, 2022
The Fourth Corona Book of Horror Stories ed. Lewis Williams
After a long hiatus due to the powers-that-be naming a virus after them, Corona Books are back with a fabulous new selection of horror stories designed to emulate the great Pan Books of Horror. This anthology is a selection of different styles and tropes; something for everyone. You may find that not every story is to your taste, but all are well written and deserve a read.
I have to admit to having a story in this anthology, but this review is about those I am privileged to sit alongside. Most of the authors have impressive lists of credits to their names and it shows in the calibre of the stories included here.
My favourite is Here, Piggy, Piggy by Florence Ann Marlowe. Every horror book needs a witch and this one is a very modern lady who gives out a punishment to fit the crime. This is followed closely by There is a Man in Edith’s Home by Sam Rebelein, and Darla and the Clown by MM Scheier but then I love a psychological horror.
The Best Weapons in the World by Wondra Vanian is a wonderful new spin on an old trope as is The True and Short Life of a Werewolf by Augustus Stephens. If I say any more I’ll spoil the endings. You must read them for yourself.
A Stopover in Burden by Adena Graham may have been done before but I was touched by the feeling of desolation she managed to convey in the story. I felt as if I was there with Saul.
This is a modern anthology with new writers deserving of their place in the literary world. If you are looking for entrenched tropes and huge names you will not find them. If you are looking for fresh ideas and new names to follow then step right in and read, read, read.
There are others in the series, check them out while you’re at it.
After a long hiatus due to the powers-that-be naming a virus after them, Corona Books are back with a fabulous new selection of horror stories designed to emulate the great Pan Books of Horror. This anthology is a selection of different styles and tropes; something for everyone. You may find that not every story is to your taste, but all are well written and deserve a read.
I have to admit to having a story in this anthology, but this review is about those I am privileged to sit alongside. Most of the authors have impressive lists of credits to their names and it shows in the calibre of the stories included here.
My favourite is Here, Piggy, Piggy by Florence Ann Marlowe. Every horror book needs a witch and this one is a very modern lady who gives out a punishment to fit the crime. This is followed closely by There is a Man in Edith’s Home by Sam Rebelein, and Darla and the Clown by MM Scheier but then I love a psychological horror.
The Best Weapons in the World by Wondra Vanian is a wonderful new spin on an old trope as is The True and Short Life of a Werewolf by Augustus Stephens. If I say any more I’ll spoil the endings. You must read them for yourself.
A Stopover in Burden by Adena Graham may have been done before but I was touched by the feeling of desolation she managed to convey in the story. I felt as if I was there with Saul.
This is a modern anthology with new writers deserving of their place in the literary world. If you are looking for entrenched tropes and huge names you will not find them. If you are looking for fresh ideas and new names to follow then step right in and read, read, read.
There are others in the series, check them out while you’re at it.
October 20, 2022
There's no theme to this anthology, which means the reader has no way of anticipating what kind of creepiness might come next. Every story ticks the box of horror in some way or another, but it's the scope of horror on display here that makes this anthology so engaging. Hats off to editor Lewis Williams! (FYI I'm one of the contributors - I've left my story out of this review.)
October 13, 2022
A good mix of traditional, modern, folk and outright violent. Never judge an anthology by one story alone. There is a little something for everyone, even the non-horror readers. Some tropes will feel familiar to the long term readers.
The stories are short enough to read during a commute to work or coffee break.
You’ll be dragged in. You won’t regret turning the page. For me that’s the marker for an enjoyable read.
Full review on www.sffworld.com shortly.
Review copy with thanks to the publisher.
The stories are short enough to read during a commute to work or coffee break.
You’ll be dragged in. You won’t regret turning the page. For me that’s the marker for an enjoyable read.
Full review on www.sffworld.com shortly.
Review copy with thanks to the publisher.
June 10, 2023
It’s been two years in the making and if you’re looking for some new authors to scare and surprise you, you need to take some time to sit down with the The Fourth Corona Book of Horror Stories. We promise you’ll have a thoroughly unsettling time.
Full Review: https://setthetape.com/2022/11/29/the...
Full Review: https://setthetape.com/2022/11/29/the...
January 2, 2023
This was a bit of a mixed bag. There were some great stories in here, but for me, it ended on a weak note. This dropped my rating from 4 stars to 3.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews