Status Updates From Splatterpunk Fighting Back

Darla's Problem by Christopher Rufty This was an excellent short story that tells the tale of a little girl named Darla who pleads with a police officer lunching in his cruiser to help her with a problem at her home.The veteran cop doesn't believe the little girl about what she relates has happened. He drives her home to check things out. Hair raisingly original and 5 Stars for this hair raising slice of horror.

The Going Rate - John Boden This was short but both riveting and chilling. A man is left alone with his little girl after his wife leaves him. It is up to him now to manage all of the affairs of the household. He owes the tax man and he calculates what is due. But after he pays the taxman he lingers at the door. Hellishly original. 5 Stars all day long.

Feast of Consequences - WD Gagliana & Dave Benton (Anna's Story) An Excerpt from the novel Killer Lake - This is an outstanding story of a girl going into an isolated woods to make out with her boyfriend and getting miffed when he gets carried away. Later she is alone and lost in the dark scary wooded area. She's seen horror movies but still gets into an old truck with a hillbilly. It goes from OMG bad to Oh Hell no!

Limb Memory by Tim Curran is a story about a man who lost his arm in an accident. He was unable to rise above the disability and wallowed in self-pity. One night he felt phantam pain in the amputated arm. The story then turns into a particularly dark and sick entry from a "tales from the darkside" for pessimistic guys who lost an appendage. Original? Maybe. Rated 3 Stars.

Only Angels Know by George Daniel Lee is a tale about a frustrated artist who works in the media of flesh and bone. It was a difficult story to follow in light of the imagery. The struggling artist ultimately fashions his piece de la resistance and I am getting mental flashes of Kurt Russell dealing with the shape shifting monster from the ice. I was not moved by this entry and awarded a fair 3 Stars.

Molly by Glenn Solve was a story more my style. It was about a young guy who changed jobs and hated working at a sank hotel. He was also being a bit of a voyeur with a gorgeous guest and her entourage. He was a walking example of be careful what you wish for..very original little horror gem. I liked it. 5 Stars.

Hellscape by Rich Hawkins is a sci fi horror tale about the apocolypse on a distant red planet occupied by civilized beings. The first person narrator sounds similar to mankind on Earth. Horrific imagery but futuristic sci fi not my preference. Generous 3 Stars.

The Passion of the Robertson's by Duncan Ralston was a story that was the polar opposite of "It's A Wonderful Life". What happens when a couple of religious fanatics meet an outspoken atheist at Christmas time? The answer is 4 Stars.

Extinction Therapy - Bracken MacCleod This was a story about a rich and powerful businessman wanting to feel the power of life and death in his hands. He looked to a modern day witch doctor for therapy to help him reach his goals. The man is astounded to feel himself in a strange place amidst bloody violence and torture. It felt wonderful to him. The story is juxtaposed with the everyday happiness of a young couple.

Melvin by Matt Shaw is a short story about the pitfalls of being a rude drunk. The plot is both clever and original if not a bit cartoonish to imagine. I liked it. Rated 4 Stars.

The first story was "They Swim By Night" By Adam Millard. This was a surprisingly good retelling of a mythological tale and underscores the truth behind a popular idiom of today. "If something seems too good to be true it probably is". This charity anthology is off to a good start with this 5 Star Rating to set the standard.

That Matt Shaw story was trash. I really hope this anthology gets better. At least the .99 cents I spent on this went to charity.