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Whispers - Volume 1: A Collection
Whispers - often unheard and sometimes misinterpreted. They make people uncomfortable and anxious. They can spread innocent words and they can infect the mind with hatred and lies. They can be a sign of secrecy or a symptom of utter madness… From Stuart Keane comes a collection of short stories. Featuring a foreword from Catt Dahman, Whispers brings you nine horrific tales...previously published but brought together for the very first time. This is terror experienced by ordinary people in ordinary circumstances, when their mundane lives spiral out of control and become something a little more sadistic. In this collection of horrific tales, we A scorned wife with bloody vengeance on her mind; an expecting but unwilling mother whose foetus has other ideas; Tommy and his closet, which holds a dark secret; a couple who fall in love on Halloween…or do they?; a psychopath whose evening is interrupted by the end of the world; a paraplegic on a deadly train ride to nowhere, and a mutilated clown with a violent score to settle. Whispers – sometimes we hear them, but they definitely hear us.
- GenresHorror
182 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 1, 2015
What a great collection. It's very hard to find a book of short stories in which every single one is a good, solid story. I really enjoyed all of these. They say that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. With this one you most certainly should! Such a fantastic cover, just look at it. Well the content is equally as good.
April 17, 2015
Whispers is a short story collection that compiles material from various anthologies that Stuart's been a part of. Even if you've already read these Whispers is still worth a look because it shows a writer who has the ability to write in a variety of genres. These are dark, twisted stories that explore fear and what I love about this collection is just how well it flows together. I knew that these were previously released, and a few I had even read but that didn't matter because one story flowed into the next and I had to see what came next.
There is a common theme here and that's fear and revenge. Each of these stories explores the dark and forces us to see people in situations that they have no control over. There is a dark element running through each of them and Keane forces us to look, There's no other choice, If you're not a fan of Keane you will be after reading this collection. To steal a line from Catt Dahman; Stuart goes for the throat and never lets go. He devours. That's an accurate description of his writing style.
This is a writer that knows how to make horror fans happy and for those who haven't read his work this is a good place to start. These aren't long stories and give a decent introduction to a writer who is growing and evolving. Keane knows horror and the only problem I had with this was that it ended. I've been a fan of Stuart's since his debut novella The Customer Is....and with Whispers we see just how good he truly is.
I would recommend this to fans of Richard Laymon, and early Stephen King. There is a bit of gore and violence, here but it's justified if that makes any sense. He doesn't just go for the gross out because he can, he does it because it's necessary. The violence and gore are a part of the story. Keane knows how to shock you and it makes the stories interesting and you never see it coming.
There is a common theme here and that's fear and revenge. Each of these stories explores the dark and forces us to see people in situations that they have no control over. There is a dark element running through each of them and Keane forces us to look, There's no other choice, If you're not a fan of Keane you will be after reading this collection. To steal a line from Catt Dahman; Stuart goes for the throat and never lets go. He devours. That's an accurate description of his writing style.
This is a writer that knows how to make horror fans happy and for those who haven't read his work this is a good place to start. These aren't long stories and give a decent introduction to a writer who is growing and evolving. Keane knows horror and the only problem I had with this was that it ended. I've been a fan of Stuart's since his debut novella The Customer Is....and with Whispers we see just how good he truly is.
I would recommend this to fans of Richard Laymon, and early Stephen King. There is a bit of gore and violence, here but it's justified if that makes any sense. He doesn't just go for the gross out because he can, he does it because it's necessary. The violence and gore are a part of the story. Keane knows how to shock you and it makes the stories interesting and you never see it coming.
January 17, 2016
Stuart Keane may be the busiest writer I know at the moment.
This year he has been releasing novels/novellas and even getting those old one published before into hard copy prints. In between all those releases, he's been heavily involved in several horror anthologies.
Whispers collects 9 of the stories from previously published anthologies. These are by no means all of the stories either (a volume two is coming up for release sometime soon).
Stuart is great at talking in the everyday man's (and woman's) voice. He can spin some twisted tales. The greater part of it is, that the majority of the tales don't feature a supernatural element. And if they do, it's more focused on the cruel human aspects than the supernatural.
This year he has been releasing novels/novellas and even getting those old one published before into hard copy prints. In between all those releases, he's been heavily involved in several horror anthologies.
Whispers collects 9 of the stories from previously published anthologies. These are by no means all of the stories either (a volume two is coming up for release sometime soon).
Stuart is great at talking in the everyday man's (and woman's) voice. He can spin some twisted tales. The greater part of it is, that the majority of the tales don't feature a supernatural element. And if they do, it's more focused on the cruel human aspects than the supernatural.
June 30, 2015
Possibly the best horror collection I have ever read. There wasn't a bad story in here!
February 18, 2016
Stuart Keane IS a King!
I've said it before, I'm saying it now, and I'm likely to say it again later.
He can't be denounced or dethroned. I'm not sure if he has any skeletons in his closet but I sure hope so!!
Everything I have read from him has been mesmerizing. It must be a Royal thing.
The creativity and imagination in this guy, WOW, I just want to play with it...run my fingers through his brain matter and see if I catch anything.
I won't though, I'm obviously immune but it would be fun to try!!
I don't understand much about narrative pov, structures, editing, or really big words, so I can't give any sort of technical review but I can say that I LOVED the hell outta this kickass collection of short stories!
Lately my reviews of anthology's have been a bit on the girthy side to the point where I wonder if they elicit yawns and cyber dog ears.
I could easily talk in length about all 9 of these stories but I think this time I'll just pick out a couple of my favorites and keep it short and sweet.
It'll be hard though because so many of them were A+'s.
WET ~ A lovely woman, a single evening, her husband out late again....to pass the time until he comes home she decides on some hot tea and an even hotter fizzie bath. She fantasizes about more talks of migrating to Rome or Paris with her hard working hubby later.
This story was crippling and had my heart pounding, you just liked the gal so much!
Makes me glad that I've never been a bath soaker.
VERMILION ~ A psychopath with an agenda walks into a bar just before an epidemic hits...HARD. Sounds like the start of a joke and he should be scarred shitless but his lack of conscience or humanity just leaves him staring in amazement and kind of wishing he was in on it. Instead he decides to transcribe the events of the night onto bar napkins and see how it all plays out. Action packed thrill ride!!
My name is in this one!! Ok, it's probably not based on me seeing as how I hadn't even discovered The Amazon Troupe when this was published but, an agile zombie stripper...that's quite the coincidence.
RENDEZVOUS ~ A beautiful rich gal who's been wronged decides to bring her baggage to the ominous and deserted Lake Whisper. The Lake used to be a hot spot for summer fun but now is abandoned due to a sad past. This psychological tale is equal parts brilliant and disturbing!
IN THE CLOSET ~ A sweet kid who misses his deceased father and cherishes the material things that remind him of his dad, even if they are broken. He has a shit home life with a whore for a mother, a bastard for a father figure and school age bullies with names like Blade and Bull. Enter an alternate dimension where - if chosen - you're encouraged to say and do what has only been in your darkest imaginations. Walk through the closet where there is no punishment or accountability or mercy and plenty of opportunities to impress the overlords.
Unbelievably AWESOME story that I would love in novel length!
COULROPHOBIC ~ Who doesn't love a good clown story!? They are just so damn cute and funny with their floppy feet and honkin noses. Bobollocks (very clever name btw) was just trying to earn a living and get a little lovin on the side. He deserved it always having to put up with rich pretentious assholes and their narcissistic spawn. He did NOT deserve what happened to him and I cheered him on in his quest!
A couple is 3 round up to 5. I checked! hahaha
King Keane! Lol it kinda sounds like a stutter but it's a POWERFUL stutter.
I would seriously read this guy write the phonebook and hang on his every #.
Thankfully he has a lot of upcoming books including sequels in the works!
I've said it before, I'm saying it now, and I'm likely to say it again later.
He can't be denounced or dethroned. I'm not sure if he has any skeletons in his closet but I sure hope so!!
Everything I have read from him has been mesmerizing. It must be a Royal thing.
The creativity and imagination in this guy, WOW, I just want to play with it...run my fingers through his brain matter and see if I catch anything.
I won't though, I'm obviously immune but it would be fun to try!!
I don't understand much about narrative pov, structures, editing, or really big words, so I can't give any sort of technical review but I can say that I LOVED the hell outta this kickass collection of short stories!
Lately my reviews of anthology's have been a bit on the girthy side to the point where I wonder if they elicit yawns and cyber dog ears.
I could easily talk in length about all 9 of these stories but I think this time I'll just pick out a couple of my favorites and keep it short and sweet.
It'll be hard though because so many of them were A+'s.
WET ~ A lovely woman, a single evening, her husband out late again....to pass the time until he comes home she decides on some hot tea and an even hotter fizzie bath. She fantasizes about more talks of migrating to Rome or Paris with her hard working hubby later.
This story was crippling and had my heart pounding, you just liked the gal so much!
Makes me glad that I've never been a bath soaker.
VERMILION ~ A psychopath with an agenda walks into a bar just before an epidemic hits...HARD. Sounds like the start of a joke and he should be scarred shitless but his lack of conscience or humanity just leaves him staring in amazement and kind of wishing he was in on it. Instead he decides to transcribe the events of the night onto bar napkins and see how it all plays out. Action packed thrill ride!!
My name is in this one!! Ok, it's probably not based on me seeing as how I hadn't even discovered The Amazon Troupe when this was published but, an agile zombie stripper...that's quite the coincidence.
RENDEZVOUS ~ A beautiful rich gal who's been wronged decides to bring her baggage to the ominous and deserted Lake Whisper. The Lake used to be a hot spot for summer fun but now is abandoned due to a sad past. This psychological tale is equal parts brilliant and disturbing!
IN THE CLOSET ~ A sweet kid who misses his deceased father and cherishes the material things that remind him of his dad, even if they are broken. He has a shit home life with a whore for a mother, a bastard for a father figure and school age bullies with names like Blade and Bull. Enter an alternate dimension where - if chosen - you're encouraged to say and do what has only been in your darkest imaginations. Walk through the closet where there is no punishment or accountability or mercy and plenty of opportunities to impress the overlords.
Unbelievably AWESOME story that I would love in novel length!
COULROPHOBIC ~ Who doesn't love a good clown story!? They are just so damn cute and funny with their floppy feet and honkin noses. Bobollocks (very clever name btw) was just trying to earn a living and get a little lovin on the side. He deserved it always having to put up with rich pretentious assholes and their narcissistic spawn. He did NOT deserve what happened to him and I cheered him on in his quest!
A couple is 3 round up to 5. I checked! hahaha
King Keane! Lol it kinda sounds like a stutter but it's a POWERFUL stutter.
I would seriously read this guy write the phonebook and hang on his every #.
Thankfully he has a lot of upcoming books including sequels in the works!
April 27, 2015
I am suddenly really looking forward to meeting Stuart Keane in July to get a signed copy of this book, if nothing else. This short story collection completely took me by surprise as I haven't read very much of Keane's work in the past. I will be rectifying this very soon, if this book is anything to go by.
These were a selection of stories which whilst all so different to one another, they each left me with a lingering feeling of unease. Stuart Keane's imagination knows no limits and his ability to push the boundaries of good taste make for fantastic reading for horror readers. I noticed a few 'nods' to Richard Laymon and I will certainly be checking out the book 'Chunks' which had a discreet plug in one of the stories. ;)
These were a selection of stories which whilst all so different to one another, they each left me with a lingering feeling of unease. Stuart Keane's imagination knows no limits and his ability to push the boundaries of good taste make for fantastic reading for horror readers. I noticed a few 'nods' to Richard Laymon and I will certainly be checking out the book 'Chunks' which had a discreet plug in one of the stories. ;)
July 6, 2015
From the very Laymon-esque opener to the last offering of this volume these stories offer gruesome insights into the dark depths of depravity that is the mind of Stuart Keane. It's easy to see where he gets his influences from.
He gets extra points from me for his reference to Pennywise and Ronald McDonald in the last story. Horror that grosses you out and makes you laugh like a drain.
Can't wait to read more.
He gets extra points from me for his reference to Pennywise and Ronald McDonald in the last story. Horror that grosses you out and makes you laugh like a drain.
Can't wait to read more.
December 11, 2015
Fantastic
Stuart Keane is a master of his craft. A nice mix of horror and gory filth that you can't get enough of. Great endings to the stories that have you wanting more. Can't wait for volume 2
Stuart Keane is a master of his craft. A nice mix of horror and gory filth that you can't get enough of. Great endings to the stories that have you wanting more. Can't wait for volume 2
October 13, 2016
Fantastic Read
This is a book of short stories and I enjoyed every single story. I would highly recommend this book if you like horror. I would also recommend any of Stuart Keane's books. Now on to the 2nd book.
This is a book of short stories and I enjoyed every single story. I would highly recommend this book if you like horror. I would also recommend any of Stuart Keane's books. Now on to the 2nd book.
June 1, 2017
Uncaged Book Reviews:
A collection of gruesome tales not for the easily offended. As these tales are quite dramatic and dark. I wouldn’t recommend eating or drinking anything while reading these books. You have been warned now on too some of my favorite stories from these three books. Volume (1) - A young boy who is getting buliled at school believes there something dark and evil hiding in his closet only to be met with a strange man who takes him on a trip to hell where he can get revenge on anyone who has ever hurt or wronged him. A rather clever way to get your own back on school bullies. Volume (2) -Two boys on a fun night out of weed and booze go for a drive where they end up parked where a young girl was brutally murdered and sexually assaulted. The twist in the tale is that one of the boys is related to the girl and is hell bent on payback. Volume (3) - A chef who loves using humans as his ingredients to cook with. So whatever you do don’t complain about the food. Or the food will be you.
These books can be read in any order but are not for the faint hearted. I really enjoyed reading Stuart’s messed up stories. Can’t wait for volume 4 out soon. Reviewed by Jennifer
More at UncagedBooks.com
A collection of gruesome tales not for the easily offended. As these tales are quite dramatic and dark. I wouldn’t recommend eating or drinking anything while reading these books. You have been warned now on too some of my favorite stories from these three books. Volume (1) - A young boy who is getting buliled at school believes there something dark and evil hiding in his closet only to be met with a strange man who takes him on a trip to hell where he can get revenge on anyone who has ever hurt or wronged him. A rather clever way to get your own back on school bullies. Volume (2) -Two boys on a fun night out of weed and booze go for a drive where they end up parked where a young girl was brutally murdered and sexually assaulted. The twist in the tale is that one of the boys is related to the girl and is hell bent on payback. Volume (3) - A chef who loves using humans as his ingredients to cook with. So whatever you do don’t complain about the food. Or the food will be you.
These books can be read in any order but are not for the faint hearted. I really enjoyed reading Stuart’s messed up stories. Can’t wait for volume 4 out soon. Reviewed by Jennifer
More at UncagedBooks.com
March 25, 2016
From the master ...
... of terror comes a riveting collection not to be missed! Stuart Keane offers real, modern, thought-provoking icicles for your spine. You'll keep a white-knuckled grip as you turn every page.
... of terror comes a riveting collection not to be missed! Stuart Keane offers real, modern, thought-provoking icicles for your spine. You'll keep a white-knuckled grip as you turn every page.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews