Roses are Red Carrie Green $0.99 (Kindle Edition) Review by Darkeva Roses are Red is a short story collection from Carrie Green that centers around three short stories, the first of which, "A Long Distance Relationship," starts off interestingly. Allan is a recently freed convict who finds himself on the receiving end of a plea to confess to the hit and run he just did, which the police are certain to find out about. I've never seen a phone used as a weapon, but it's done well here. Alan makes the crime look convincingly like an armed robbery gone bad, and knows what he's doing as that's what he was convicted for in the first place. Allan is definitely a good example of an unreliable narrator. But he starts to think he didn't finish the job, and that's when the story gets really interesting as Allan's personal demons come out to play. "A Lucky Human" is more of a sci-fi influenced tale (albeit with a horrific conclusion) about a universe in which the bond between man and machine is inescapable once the latter has selected a human to be its 'lucky human.' And "Cash Only," the last tale, is about a guy, Gene, who picks up a woman at a bar, but he has a great act designed to reel women in and it works well for his line of work as he's a bounty hunter. He's after the woman he's pursuing because she's an accomplice in a bank robbery, who a former friend turned in. The ending is pretty harsh, but ends the way it should. Overall, it's a pretty solid collection, and although it's shorter than most, the stories are definitely of a good quality.

Haunted: 11 Tales of Ghostly Horror Edited by Monica Valentinelli Drive Through Fiction 142 pages, October 2011 Review by Darkeva Table of Contents

• Introduction by Jaeson K. Jrakman, Ghost Hunter
• What's the Frequency, Francis? by Alex Bledsoe
• Immaterial Witness by Jess Hartley
• Useless Creek by Jason Sizemore
• A Quiet House in the Country by Bill Bodden
• Ghost Catcher by Georgia Beaverson
• We Need Johnny by Chuck Wendig
• After Life by Nancy O. Greene
• It Happened in the Woods at Night by Jason L. Blair
• The Man Who Built Haunted Houses by Richard Dansky
• Missing Molly by Alana Joli Abbott
• The Angry Stick by Preston P. DuBose
• Editor's Afterword by Monica Valentinelli

Ghost hunting isn't something that most people think of as a career, but there are people out there who solicit these types of services legitimately. They're not just the stuff of horror fiction and films any longer, as attested by ghost hunter Jaeson K. Jrakman in his introduction. Daniel Defoe even wrote a book on the subject called The Secrets of the Invisible World Disclos'd in 1735. Still, whether the stories are true or made up, they make for great entertainment, and Haunted: 11 Tales of Ghostly Horror is no exception. In "What's the Frequency?" by Alex Bledsoe, a TV reporter who works for a show called Ghost Chasers is asking a museum assistant curator to explain what a particular device he's researching does. Sir Francis Colby's diaries hold the answer, and the narrative goes into a "story within a story" structure that reveals the origins of the device. Dr Pugh (who used to be sane but has since gone the way of Dracula's Renfield) invented it to communicate with his dead wife, but other spirits try to take advantage of this for their own purposes. It's a great story with a few twists and turns with a philosophical ending. "Immaterial Witness" by Jess Hartley concerns Jackson Mane, who hosts a program called Revenant in Bisbee, Arizona, which some people consider the most haunted town in the Southwestern US. He has invited a ghost tour guide who can see ghosts, Liz, to see his ghost-o-meter, but its sole aim is not to detect ghosts. I liked seeing a story with a helpful ghost instead of just the vengeful kind (both of which are represented here). "Ulysses Creek" by Jason Sizemore is about a professor who encounters a dishevelled low-life of a guy who knows everything about his past, including about his deceased wife. It was refreshing to see a professor who didn't fit the conventional 'stiff upper lip' stereotype, and this tale had a cool ending. "A Quiet House in the Country" by Bill Bodden is about a group of ghost hunters who go into a haunted house and think there may be a poltergeist at play, and there is indeed a creature causing harm to the team, while "Ghost Catcher" by Georgia Beaverson was probably my favourite tale among the bunch. In it, a ten year-old kid, Alex, has a sixth sense, but he's a lot more comical about it. His mother advertises on craigslist, and he's pretty professional about how he accepts jobs. He uses his best judgment in most cases, and in this story, decides to help a nineteen year-old guy who thinks he's being haunted, and he is, but there's an interesting reason behind it. "We Need Johnny" by Chuck Wendig is about a guy named Johnny who, on a hunt with his teammates, got "marked" by a ghost. His teammates have a nefarious plan to find out what's going on with the spirits on the other side, and it results in an impactful ending. "Afterlife" by Nancy O. Greene is about a group of students on spring break who are making a documentary about the scariest haunted places in their backwoods neighborhood, specifically Old Day Man's House, a house in which a murderous old man lived. The main character, Daniel, tries to convince his fellow documentary makers that no spirits will come for them and that they're just superstitious. While I originally thought the story was just another case of the standard teen horror flick staple of "teenagers get more than they bargained for when messing with ghosts they shouldn't trifle with," I was pleasantly surprised to find clever storytelling, a good ending, and good characterization for the Old Day Ghost. I also enjoyed this tale a good deal. "It Happened in the Woods at Night" by Jason Blair reveals how the devil buried Curtis Holling as a favor to the boy's mother. Three boys murdered Curtis, and although vengeance is laid, the devil has some interesting plans for Curtis' soul, which results in an interesting ending and another cool depiction of the devil despite his brief appearance. "The Man Who Built Haunted Houses" by Richard Dansky marks the second appearance of the Devil in the anthology, and concerns a man, Eli, who works for the man in the red suit. He meets another guy, Jack Broadman, who becomes interested in the fact that Eli builds haunted houses and does it to protect ghosts so they have a place to stay. "Missing Molly" by Alana Joli Abbot is all about Wes, a former soldier looking for a roommate, which he finds in Angie, a secretive science/military type who invites him into her ghost hunting work for a case. One works like Sherlock Holmes, the other like Watson, and they discover that ectoplasm is the remains from when a ghost tries to cross over, kind of a cool concept. "The Angry Stick" by Preston P. Dubose is also another of my favourites, this one about a guy, Adam, who goes to a bar called the Angry Stick. We soon learn that he has come here to warn another ghost hunter he knows from forums about her workplace, which is haunted. But he comes with his own baggage in the form of the ghost of his ex-girlfriend, who communicates to him beyond the grave, and is as jealous and paranoid as ever. Although I saw the lead-up to the climax coming, it still delivered a satisfying tale. Overall, if you're a real ghost fan or like the shows Supernatural or Ghost Whisperer, you'll likely enjoy Haunted: 11 Tales of Ghostly Horror

Scarecrow Craig Saunders The Madness Robert Essig Blood Bound Books, 2011 Review by Matthew Tait Blood Bound Books presents a double helping of sideshow fun with both Scarecrow by Craig Saunders and The Madness by Robert Essig appearing together in the same volume. These are two solid novellas that do more than complement each other while presenting the monsters firmly established in the human realm. Although the stories have the subtle cavalcade feel of a Creepshow comic book, a reader will find no supernatural trimmings when the blood starts to flow. Laid out bare like this, the horror reaches a primal level only seldom found in horror fiction. With Scarecrow, Craig Saunders uses traveling gypsies as the ignition for bloodshed. It's the holiday weekend in the English Fens, and local farmers Madge and her husband Bernie aren't particularly perturbed by the thought of gypsies being so close in their neck of the woods. When a bar fight breaks out involving Bernie and the leader of one of the gypsy families, they soon take a form of extreme revenge of torture and clout that far outweighs their original crimes... Although the horror in Scarecrow is ironic and perverse at times (and I mean that in the best possible way), the greatest strength of Craig's story is the subtle humor and domestic setting. Both Bernie and Madge are an old-school couple set in old-school ways - and when that fragile union is split down the middle by all too human monsters the results are often unpredictable and fun. A much longer novella, The Madness by Robert Essig encapsulates another domestic setting - this time a family of three who embrace drifter Tony who must take sanctuary with them when a gargantuan snow storm renders the roads impassable. At first Tony regrets his decision to ask for hospitality as there is something very wrong with the man of the house: Dan stares at Tony with a madness that belies murder. When the entire household bunks down for the night the morning will greet the family with something far worse than Dan's madness... If parts of Scarecrow were perverse, this is even more so. Just when you think you have your hand on the pulse of the story it quickly dovetails into realms more befitting a splatter film. There are surprising twists and scenes filled with horror that's laid bare of any conscience. Like the previous tale the prose is adequate and well thought out. Humor is also a staple brand that complements the action. What the authors and Blood Bound books have delivered is a double slice of horror very reminiscent of a grindhouse exploitation film or a hybrid graphic novel. The cover illustration is worthy of devotion whilst the stories themselves deliver exactly what is promised. The only small thing lacking is perhaps a detailed blurb on the back or sleeve. Scarecrow and The Madness can be ordered from Blood Bound Books. [Editor's Note: Matthew Tait's Ghosts In A Desert World is currently available for free from Amazon, while his novella, Slander Hall, is part of the Tales of Darkness and Dismay series and available for $2.99.]

Deadstock Ian Rogers Stonebunny Press 84 pages, October 14, 2011 Review by Darkeva As I mentioned in my recent review of Strangeways, a Western graphic novel featuring vampires, I'm usually not a fan of straight westerns unless done well, but a good story combined with great characterization and supernatural elements makes me pay attention. I went into reading Deadstock by Ian Rogers with high hopes and I'm happy to say that he delivered on them with this wonderful tale, which introduces us to two of the most interesting main characters I've encountered, a Bonnie and Clyde-esque duo (without any mushy subtext) known as Sam Dryden and Raisy. They've received a telegram from a good friend, Chester, who tells them that something odd is going on at his cattle ranch. Before they make it into town, they encounter a shifty Marshall, who Rogers cunningly uses as a foil to convince the reader that he's behind the trouble with all the cattle that have ended up so mutilated that they're beyond recognition. He's definitely a strange one and there's more than meets the eye, but he does help the duo by letting them know how to get to Chester's ranch. Once Sam and Raisy go through the process of elimination, they discover the real culprit behind the mutilations and behind that is a real mastermind, and that's where the story gets even more interesting. It's a page-turner that will have you riveted every step of the way. It definitely exceeded my expectations, and surprised me, particularly on how the mystery ended up being solved. Among the text's other highlights are the Western accents, done well here, because they were authentic and not overly exaggerated. Also, Raisy (who is a very cool female character) has a tabby cat with her called August Finch (and there's an interesting story behind that name). Chester's youngest daughter is also quite a little firestarter. Best of all, there's no room for a tacked-on/forced love story subplot between Dryden and Raisy-just because she's a girl, it doesn't mean they automatically need to be knocking boots. As well, the spirit guide wolf was a nice addition. There are so many elements to this tale that make it worth reading, and even if you're not a fan of Westerns or think you won't like this, trust me-you will. Rogers is adept at painting a convincing terrain and he knows exactly how to suck a reader into an awesome story.

The Winter Chills Book Review Project is up and running. Originally proposed by Dylan at Monster Librarian (he’s the one who keeps it going), the book review project teams up a handful of horror related web sites all offering a variety of horror book reviews for readers to enjoy for free. This time out, our very own Sheila M. Merritt reviews The Secret of Crickley Hall by James Herbert. Description: Would you stay in a haunted house for more than one night? Would you live in a place where ghostly things keep happening? Where a cellar door you know you locked the night before is always open the following morning? Where hushed whimpering is heard? Where white shadows steal through the darkness? Where the presence of evil is all around you? Would you? Should you? The Caleighs did, but they had their reasons. They should have known better though. As the terror mounts, they begin to regret their decision. As the horror rises, they realize their very lives are at risk ... and so is their sanity. For the secret of Crickley Hall is beyond all nightmares. Below the review, you’ll find links to other reviews provided by other horror web sites. All for your reading enjoyment. Here’s where to get started: The Secret of Crickley Hall

Critique Daniel I Russell Dark Continents Publishing, 2011 Review by Matthew Tait Now a permanent fixture in the Australian dark fiction scene, the last few years have seen Western Australian author Daniel I Russell build an impressive bibliography to put him at the very forefront of the community. With the publication of Critique from Dark Continents as part of their Tales of Darkness and Dismay series, he has not only cemented his innovative reputation but moved even further ahead of the rest of the field. We start our tale with ex-con Carlos making a pit-stop to escape the desolation of the desert and hours spent submerged behind the wheel. Carlos is on his way to make a very special delivery - but his decision to stop at an eccentric out-of-the-way Church that caters food will see him holed up longer than he anticipated. It is here that a reader will find the early snapshots of what could be projected as the blue-print for slasher-film fodder - but what the author has in mind as Carlos pulls up his seat is a lot darker than mere splatter film semantics. Here, a new tale is about to unfold ... one that is low on body count but high in the themes of morality and secret subtext. A restaurant critic of the highest order, Sandy Devanche makes quite a comfortable living appraising (and more often than not tearing apart), the cities finest food establishments. On one particular rainy and wind-swept night he enters The House of Jacob ... a small restaurant that offers a revolutionary dining experience its patrons won't easily forget - especially Sandy Devanche - who has been chosen by the mysterious proprietor Jacob Enfer as an unwitting subject in a serving of ethics and belief. Besides the pertinent themes here, Critique offers us a beautiful insight into the myriad world of food and those who partake of it seriously as a craft. Slowly, Sandy Devanche is led on an odyssey of torture and redemption that will see him partake of ingredients not befitted in the menus of even non Western cosmologies. There is unconventional sexuality, addiction, secrets - and even a smattering of mythology … all the ingredients befitting a healthy horror tale. Above all, the story here is just plain fun. All too often as an avid reader of dark fiction I've found myself dealing with stories that are entertaining but ultimately sub-par. But Critique, like a good song or memorable meal, has just the right hook to keep you glued from beginning to end. The only minor quibble this reviewer has is perhaps a prolonged word count with the climax that could have been shaved subtly. Here, Daniel I Russell has stepped out of his comfort zone and written a tale where he surpasses all his pervious work. One can only hope the future holds such serious promise for this talented writer. Critique is part of the Tales of Darkness and Dismay series of e-books from Dark Continents of which there are eight more novellas and collections. [Editor's Note: Matthew Tait's Ghosts In A Desert World is currently available for free from Amazon, while his novella, Slander Hall, is part of the Tales of Darkness and Dismay series and available for $2.99.]

Epitaphs: The Journal of the New England Horror Writers Tracy L. Carbone, Editor Shroud Publishing Trade Paper, 252 pages, $12.99 Review by Sheila M. Merritt New England: Home of H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King. And other horror scribes, including those whose works are assembled in Epitaphs - The Journal of the New England Horror Writers. Some of the stories pay closer attention to the East Coast locale and vibe more than others, but all are interesting in their own right. Of the twenty-six offerings, four in particular warrant individual consideration. Each uniquely addresses the theme of letting go: of a loved one - or of life. In Christopher Golden's eloquent and haunting "All Aboard," a marriage erodes after the death of a child. The differences in how the spouses mourn ruptures their relationship: "That dreadful autumn, Sarah Cooper woke nearly every night in the small hours of the morning and lay in the dark, back toward her husband, the memory of their dead son filling the space between them." Sarah's descent into morose and morbid thoughts is fueled not only by a longing for her lost kid, but also by a sense that her place in the household has diminished. She feels isolated, and reacts with remoteness; emotionally cutting herself off from her mate. Her perception of the situation is superbly summed up: "He barely saw her anymore. She might as well be made of glass--a window where a woman used to be." Another union is acutely tested in "A Deeper Kind of Cold" by K. Allen Wood. Attachment, resentment, and resignation duke it out in this SF-horror yarn. Logan Ash is severely injured, and things go from bad to worse when a contagion arises. The diseased tissue is destroyed, which basically eradicates Logan as well: "His body from the neck down was then encased in a plasti-cast and put on a low-level freeze. To keep the infection from spreading to his brain, his head had been quarantined from the rest of his body; surgically severed at the jugular by a cryogenic shunt, and kept alive in a sterile, hermetically-sealed Life System." Stacy, his great love, has suffered for other reasons during the course of their relationship. Now, at the end of her tether with this crisis and its horrific aftermath, she takes action. Quietly poignant, yet containing a sequence riddled with gore, "A Deeper Kind of Cold" is executed with precision. The line between life and death is also blurred in Rick Hautala's "Perfect Witness." The first person narrator is bewildered. His cognition is addled, but he remembers being assaulted during a robbery. To reveal much else would lead the way to spoilers, but this must be said: Even the reader who easily guesses the motif that drives the story will still be rewarded with a deft take on a certain superstition. Hautala's protagonist experiences a mental disconnect from the people surrounding him. In "Alone" by P. Gardner Goldsmith, the central character's isolation is both physical and cerebral. This riff on the I Am Legend/Last Man on Earth theme is concise and highly disquieting. Its opening paragraph conveys a psychological bleakness that drips with inevitability: "He was alone. The soft, ratty recliner embraced him like a diseased paramour, its tattered and decomposing arms wrapping around him as if in a love embrace. The beer moved automatically to his lips, flat and bitter. The last of the lot. The last beer he'd been able to find. It had been sitting in his clutch for an hour, warm as soup, foul as brine, but he held it nonetheless, as if tenaciously gripping a vestige of himself." Epitaphs is an anthology that sees the writing on the headstones rather than on the proverbial wall. The quartet of tales chosen for deeper scrutiny is a sterling example of what the New England Horror Writers have to offer.