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Strange Frequencies
A World War One fighter pilot tortured by guilt, a New York mobster desperately counting the hours until his execution, an elderly man losing his mind in a decrepit nursing home… all must face their regrets and the notion that we build our own Hell, brick by brick.
Richard Clive’s chilling debut collection features eleven twisted tales, varying from Lovecraftian cosmic horror to fast-paced supernatural thrillers. Strange Frequencies oozes with splatterpunk gore, ghostly revenants, and hellish monsters that will linger in your memory long after you turn the final page.
Richard Clive’s chilling debut collection features eleven twisted tales, varying from Lovecraftian cosmic horror to fast-paced supernatural thrillers. Strange Frequencies oozes with splatterpunk gore, ghostly revenants, and hellish monsters that will linger in your memory long after you turn the final page.
- GenresHorror
273 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2022
5 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 27, 2025
A really satisfying horror collection, the stories are varied in tone but all pack a punch. They're packed with imagination, and Richard Clive does a great job of building character and setting quickly.
May 17, 2023
Strange frequencies by Richard Clive is a debut collection of weird and macabre stories spanning a number of different genres including cosmic horror, and a whole plethora of different styles, including that old favourite; the Christmas ghost story. Now, when it comes to short story collections, there are many routes to take, such as building on a theme, having little motifs running through stories to create a series of interconnected stories, and then there are those that show a breadth of different styles.
Richard Clive shows a great versatility in the different styles of stories, with each one being completely different. I really enjoyed this approach as every story was fresh and different with a different flavour of horror.
There are twenty stories in the book, some stronger than others, some more satisfying than others. However there were standouts, and whilst there are some weaker stories, none of the stories were stinkers.
The first story of the book, On the Other Side of Time is a pretty strong opener with a mixture of dystopian sci Fi and cosmic horror. Jumping between two different timelines the story immediately throws you into a disorienting situation in which an alien object is being reconned by a group of soldiers. Evoking that creeping feeling of unease, this story really grabbed me.
With a change of pace and a completely different tone, the second story, Rotten to the Core deals with some recent events, wrapped up in a Christmas ghost story package. This is an effective tale and looks at a life shattering incident from the perspective of the perpetrator. However, this does not give any sympathy to the person and shows the effects on the victim and those around them.
The third story in the collection ‘The God Whisperer’ is a mix of crime and ecological horror. I think out of the book this is one that has stuck with me the most. Whilst the crime element is typical, it is the inclusion of the ecological element that elevates it. I find mushrooms and mycelium quite strange and inherently creepy in the first place, so using this element tapped into some of those unconscious fears that I have. Again there is a Lovecraftian edge to it, and as a fan of the cosmic horror genre as a whole, this story really resonated with me.
Another story that grabbed my attention was Made in Hell. This was another story crime that had a crime element to it that centres on revenge after the main character is killed and subsequently comes back to exact retribution on the perp of the story who has risen the ranks of organised crime. This is a satisfying story with the bad guy getting his eventual comeuppance in the best possible way.
So, the last story that I am going to mention is ‘On Air’ which is set in an acute mental health ward. Now, I think one of the things that makes this standout is that Richard Clive steers clear of the traps that I have seen people fall into before when using mental health in horror, and also shows that he has done his research into the conditions that the characters are experiencing (which is always going to be a plus point for me as a person that works in mental health services and regularly sees various conditions being misused).
Strange Frequencies is a strong collection of stories that I enjoyed. The differing flavours and tones of the stories give the books its strengths and I will be looking forward to seeing what Richard Clive does in the future.
Richard Clive shows a great versatility in the different styles of stories, with each one being completely different. I really enjoyed this approach as every story was fresh and different with a different flavour of horror.
There are twenty stories in the book, some stronger than others, some more satisfying than others. However there were standouts, and whilst there are some weaker stories, none of the stories were stinkers.
The first story of the book, On the Other Side of Time is a pretty strong opener with a mixture of dystopian sci Fi and cosmic horror. Jumping between two different timelines the story immediately throws you into a disorienting situation in which an alien object is being reconned by a group of soldiers. Evoking that creeping feeling of unease, this story really grabbed me.
With a change of pace and a completely different tone, the second story, Rotten to the Core deals with some recent events, wrapped up in a Christmas ghost story package. This is an effective tale and looks at a life shattering incident from the perspective of the perpetrator. However, this does not give any sympathy to the person and shows the effects on the victim and those around them.
The third story in the collection ‘The God Whisperer’ is a mix of crime and ecological horror. I think out of the book this is one that has stuck with me the most. Whilst the crime element is typical, it is the inclusion of the ecological element that elevates it. I find mushrooms and mycelium quite strange and inherently creepy in the first place, so using this element tapped into some of those unconscious fears that I have. Again there is a Lovecraftian edge to it, and as a fan of the cosmic horror genre as a whole, this story really resonated with me.
Another story that grabbed my attention was Made in Hell. This was another story crime that had a crime element to it that centres on revenge after the main character is killed and subsequently comes back to exact retribution on the perp of the story who has risen the ranks of organised crime. This is a satisfying story with the bad guy getting his eventual comeuppance in the best possible way.
So, the last story that I am going to mention is ‘On Air’ which is set in an acute mental health ward. Now, I think one of the things that makes this standout is that Richard Clive steers clear of the traps that I have seen people fall into before when using mental health in horror, and also shows that he has done his research into the conditions that the characters are experiencing (which is always going to be a plus point for me as a person that works in mental health services and regularly sees various conditions being misused).
Strange Frequencies is a strong collection of stories that I enjoyed. The differing flavours and tones of the stories give the books its strengths and I will be looking forward to seeing what Richard Clive does in the future.
July 9, 2024
Full review on Happy Goat Horror:
https://happygoathorror.com/2023/09/0...
What a superb collection! Enjoyed every single story in it, there's a good mix of horror, and I would recommend it to horror fans.
https://happygoathorror.com/2023/09/0...
What a superb collection! Enjoyed every single story in it, there's a good mix of horror, and I would recommend it to horror fans.
November 3, 2023
Richard Clive's Strange Frequencies, his debut collection of weird and macabre stories across a range of genres, from cosmic horror to crime and the paranormal. Clive's writing really draws you into the eerie and unsettling world he creates. What I love about short stories and this collection is that every story is so different.
The book's foreword is by the legendary Ramsey Campbell and he opens with letting you know you're in safe hands. I'm here to tell you his assurance holds true throughout the book.
A few of my favorites, On Air. A compelling tale set in a mental hospital and he brings a fresh spin on the human experience of those suffering in a place like this. The God Whisperer, is a unique take on a crime thriller bringing in ecological horror with the feels of an H.P. Lovecraft read. The Fever and the Thaw gives you a sense of dread through the piece and leaves an unsettling feeling that lingers long after the story concludes. And then there's It Remains, a chilling and unsettling tale that truly gets under your skin.
The book's foreword is by the legendary Ramsey Campbell and he opens with letting you know you're in safe hands. I'm here to tell you his assurance holds true throughout the book.
A few of my favorites, On Air. A compelling tale set in a mental hospital and he brings a fresh spin on the human experience of those suffering in a place like this. The God Whisperer, is a unique take on a crime thriller bringing in ecological horror with the feels of an H.P. Lovecraft read. The Fever and the Thaw gives you a sense of dread through the piece and leaves an unsettling feeling that lingers long after the story concludes. And then there's It Remains, a chilling and unsettling tale that truly gets under your skin.
May 19, 2025
A decent set of horror stories, all quite varied in tone and content, and mostly concerned with character, which Clive constructs confidently and briskly. The subjects are many and varied, so this is very much a showcase for the writer's confidence in roaming the genre. Lacking is a stronger sense of narrative structure, as these don't so much build to a climax as kind of arrive.
There's no great style or voice in the writing, unfortunately (the days of us discovering a Campbell, Barker, or Ligotti are long past, it seems), so while there's no choice prose to enjoy there are few deficits in the presentation of the tale, bar the author's annoying habit of having characters finishing each other's sentences.
Campbell's introduction is more a story-by-story examination, and while it doesn't stray into spoiler territory it certainly walks up to the border and has a good look in, so it's maybe best saved until finishing the book itself.
There's no great style or voice in the writing, unfortunately (the days of us discovering a Campbell, Barker, or Ligotti are long past, it seems), so while there's no choice prose to enjoy there are few deficits in the presentation of the tale, bar the author's annoying habit of having characters finishing each other's sentences.
Campbell's introduction is more a story-by-story examination, and while it doesn't stray into spoiler territory it certainly walks up to the border and has a good look in, so it's maybe best saved until finishing the book itself.
November 7, 2023
Strange Frequencies contains an assortment of macabre tales that run the gamut from cosmic horrors to supernatural thrillers. Richard Clive delivers a superior collection that’s hard to put down, yet you're inclined to savor his magic prose and spread out the reading. I’m listing five of his standouts:
“Rotten to the Core”
“The Fever and The Thaw”
“Made in Hell”
“Little Lost Lambs”
“On Air”
“It Remains”
“The Last Gift”
OK, that’s seven, not five. But that’s how hard it is to nail down favorites. Clive is that good. He writes cold-blooded mobsters as convincingly as he delivers pulse-pounding World War One tales from the front lines. If you want unsettling environments, they’re here. If you prefer gore, you’ve got it. Strange Frequencies has something for every horror reader.
“Rotten to the Core”
“The Fever and The Thaw”
“Made in Hell”
“Little Lost Lambs”
“On Air”
“It Remains”
“The Last Gift”
OK, that’s seven, not five. But that’s how hard it is to nail down favorites. Clive is that good. He writes cold-blooded mobsters as convincingly as he delivers pulse-pounding World War One tales from the front lines. If you want unsettling environments, they’re here. If you prefer gore, you’ve got it. Strange Frequencies has something for every horror reader.
October 27, 2025
This diverse yet haunting collection of short stories will stay with you long after you finish the book. From page one, you’re launched into a post-apocalyptic future alongside soldiers who are on a mission now that the world is ending. In "On the Other Side of Time", you inhabit Mackenzie, feeling her sorrow, determination, and ultimately, joy.
You can read Liz's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Liz's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
April 8, 2023
Wow- what a fantastic book!
A well written collection of short stories. If I had to pick two of my favourite stories from the book it would ‘On air’ and ‘Yesterday’s news’. The author has a real talent in drawing the reader in and immersing them in the story. I am looking forward to reading more from Richard Clive.
A well written collection of short stories. If I had to pick two of my favourite stories from the book it would ‘On air’ and ‘Yesterday’s news’. The author has a real talent in drawing the reader in and immersing them in the story. I am looking forward to reading more from Richard Clive.
October 14, 2023
A solid collection of short stories which are well worth your time.
June 6, 2025
Great collection of short stories, I'll definitely buy more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews