My nails are just ready for the season – and I’ll never complain about them matching my books!
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review
THE DARKEST NIGHT: 22 WINTER HORROR STORIES – Lindy Ryan (Released September 10th, 2024)
Book Description:
From some of the biggest names in horror comes an Advent calendar of short holiday horror stories perfect for the darkest nights of the year.
Edited by award-winning author and anthologist Lindy Ryan and with contributions from masters of horror like Josh Malerman, Eric LaRocca, and Clay McLeod Chapman, this horrific anthology will chill you to the bone.
From New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box, Josh Malerman, comes a story of a dark Christmas past in “Children Aren’t the Only Ones Who Know Where the Presents Are Hidden.”
From national bestselling author Rachel Harrison, in “Thaw,” a couple spends their first Christmas together in a cabin—but are they alone, or does something else watch them from the tree line?
New York Times bestselling authors Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon’s “Wintry Blue” sets an innocent child on the road with a strange and monstrous creature.
From the Bram Stoker Award–winning screenwriter of Netflix’s Haunting of Bly Manor and The Fall of the House of Usher, in Jamie Flanagan’s “Bruiser,” something sinister stalks the chilling hallways of a nursing home at night.
Author of Such a Pretty Smile, Kristi DeMeester, tells a tale of “Eggnog”: a Christmas party, an overfriendly female coworker, and an angry wife are the recipe for a deadly cocktail party.
Plus stories by Nat Cassidy, Darcy Coates, Clay McLeod Chapman, Tim Waggoner, and many more, with an introduction by George C. Romero and art by renowned British horror artist Mister Sam Shearon
My Thoughts: 3.5/5 stars (averaged)
Creeping into winter, let’s be real, Minnesota will probably get snow around Halloween again. These are the perfect stories to set the mood. With the lineup in this book, I was ready to be scared and amazed with this collection. Let me tell you, they did not disappoint! I think there was a good variety of authors and names you’ll for sure recognize. The standouts were:
Mr. Butler by Clay Chapman McLeod – a childhood imaginary friend returns. Imaginary friends are creepy and eerie all on their own, and then one returns? What caused the return? Sinister and evil reasons? All the questions.
I Hope this Finds You Well by Eric LaRocca – they truly never disappoint. Ominous letters about rather concerning things at a very exclusive gentleman’s club. That ending!!
Nice by Nat Cassidy – is there anything creepier than kids in horror books and movies? Reminders of why kids are no a for this girl. Loved it
Candy Cane by Thommy Hutson – The author of a serial killer series is spending time in a cabin in the woods. Already a big nope, and to make it worse? There’s an unexpected visitor. You know things aren’t going to end well. I loved Hutson’s book Jinxed and he definitely knows how to set a scene
It is a solid collection, and there are so many more of the 22 stories I enjoyed. Highly recommend to readers looking for more holiday themed horror.
Jessicamap Reviews 