Read in: March 2023 Edition and format: Digital ARC provided by the author First published: January 2023
Another 17 tales written in an immediate, first-person, allegedly-true style are collected in Blood-tingling Tales Vol. 5. The stories feature cold-blooded killers, otherworldly monsters, lingering ghosts, and much more.
The story Neat Freak picks up on the theme of married life that some stories in other volumes share.
Skeleton Face breaks the fourth wall in an interesting way, and Spiders from Mars combines the evocative title with an unusual spin.
The Dead Body brings back the story told from multiple perspectives that converge to paint a full picture. What makes these stories particularly interesting is the dramatic irony of each narrator being confined to their own perspective.
Two standouts in this volume are The Creep and The Bet, both because of how they play with the reader’s expectations and because of how vividly they set up the unusual situations the characters find themselves in.
Read in: January 2023 Edition and format: Digital ARC provided by the author First published: November 2022
Yet another 19 horror short stories are collected in Blood-tingling Tales Vol. 3. The stories feature more dangerous killers, haunted toys, secret societies, houses that just don’t sit right with their owners, and encounters with the strange and unexplained.
There are several stories in this volume that stand out for their creativity. The Fake Séance explores the line between believing and not believing in the paranormal through a group of young people who stage a séance. Witness introduces an unusual angle from which to observe human beings and their savory and less savory activities.
There is an interesting theme of married life (and death) that unites three of the stories in this volume: Top 10 Ways to Kill Your Husband, which also breaks the fourth wall, The Hitchhiker, and Dead on Arrival. The exploration of the good old “till death do us part” theme has appeared in other volumes as well and gives these tales a special flavor.
Another common thread that connects many of Hudgins’ tales is (re)imagining real-life legends and mysteries as fictional accounts. One of those real-life horrors is visited in Dark Web Mystery Box, in which a thrill-seeking woman orders a mystery box on the dark web, and each of the unboxings reveals a new piece of a terrifying puzzle. The other one is the story about a gizby, a made-up toy that sounds much like a very popular real-life furry robotic friend. Those references to recognizable things and the exploration of their horror potential places the stories firmly in a shadow universe, parallel to ours and just as terrifying.
Read in: December 2022 Edition and format: Digital ARC provided by the author First published: October 2022
The second volume of Blood-tingling Tales contains 19 unnerving encounters with mad scientists, aliens, monsters, ruthless killers, haunted dolls, creepy roads and much more. The tales are written in the first-person as supposedly true events, which gives them a sense of immediacy. The convenient length of these stories makes them suitable for a break in between tasks, or for a more substantial binge.
Just like in previous volumes, some stories are told from multiple perspectives that complement each other and help the reader grasp the full extent of the situation, or escalate the intensity of the encounter (The Island, Elf on the Shelf).
The stories run the gamut from encounters that largely concern one individual’s run-in with the strange and terrifying (Stalker, The Disembodied Voice) to events that are chilling because of the consequences for a larger group of people, or indeed, all of humankind (Alien Signal, The Pyramid).
Some of the stories that pack a particular punch are the ones where the twist consists of a reversal of the reader’s expectations established at the beginning of the story. Here are some of the stand-outs:
In The Last Man on Earth, we follow the last man on the planet as he discovers something he had never hoped to see again. The retired assassin in The Professional is assigned a most unlikely mark. In Out of Time, a saloon owner serves a particularly thirsty customer.
In terms of scare factor, The Nursing Home and Vacancy definitely take the cake in this volume – there’s something about lying in a bed other than your own at night that’s just inherently unsettling, even without factoring in a creepy old lady who’s completely harmless, right?
Read in: December 2022 Edition and format: Digital ARC provided by the author First published: October 2022
Volume 1 of Steve Hudgins’ Blood-tingling Tales offers 16 tales in the already established first-person, true-story format.
Taking inspiration from classic horror influences and themes while adding a unique, often violent and ironic twist, these tales introduce everyday heroes and heroines who encounter ghosts, aliens, monsters, crazed killers, the strange and unknown.
A tried and true story format makes a reappearance – the story told from multiple perspectives that complement each other (My Haunted House, Serial Killer). Another familiar approach is the exploration of a well-known true incident, building a theory as to what might have happened into a story. After stories like the Bermuda Triangle and Jack the Ripper, the real-life event explored in this volume is the Roswell incident. This story follows another established format – having multiple narrators tell a story that gradually escalates in intensity with each encounter.
Once again, eagle-eyed fans will be rewarded with Easter eggs and the appearance of familiar places and characters in the story Snuff Film.
As always, the very best stories are the ones where horror and humor intersect in an exploration of human nature. Two such standouts in this volume are The Fisherman and Grave Robbers. In the former, an avid fisherman’s luck abruptly changes on an otherwise unexciting day. In the latter, a husband and wife hatch a plan to push the boundaries of science and human endurance.
One of the most unnerving tales that deserves a special mention is Serpent Woman, an unusual take on holiday horror, after which the beach will never be the same.
Read in: September 2022 Edition and format: Digital ARC provided by the author First published: September 2022
It Lives in the Attic is another twisted ride that showcases the dark side of human nature and how it combines with the workings of mysterious forces beyond our understanding.
The short book is written in Hudgins’ trademark style that mixes brief narrative sequences with a screenplay. As always, this allows for instant immersion and a plot that moves along quickly. The characters and settings are described in just enough detail for the reader to have a good idea of what’s going on while filling in the blanks themselves. The stories of Andy, Ellie, and Barney, and the ways their lives intersect are gradually revealed in a series of incidents that are staged with a precision that is at times reminiscent of stage instructions for a modern play, especially in the scenes between Andy and Ellie.
As usual, there are many twists and turns as the same events are explored from different perspectives and each reveal peels another layer off the story and the characters.
One of the most exciting parts of the story is how it ties in with previous tales in the Hudgins universe of horror, as familiar places and characters make an appearance. Just as the puzzles pieces of the standalone story fit together in the end, the tale as a whole finds its place in this dark, fascinating universe.
Read in: September 2022 Edition and format: Kindle edition 2021/ARC provided by the author First published: May 2022
The third volume of Horror Quickies is another collection of short tales that put an interesting twist on well-known horror tropes: scary creatures, haunted houses, bloodthirsty killers, the criminally insane, strange drugs, and unreliable narrators.
This volume features new takes on well-known tales – The Bermuda Triangle and The Abominable Snowman – as individuals report of their encounters. Can these mysteries ever be solved, or will the secrets only run deeper?
Just like in Volume Two, there are several stories featuring creepy phone calls that lead to more than one of the parties had bargained for.
Two standout tales with particularly intriguing twists are Hunting Season and Zombie Apocalypse. In the former, a hunter takes shelter in a cabin whose owner might not be just a regular hunter. In the latter, a couple hears the news of the zombie apocalypse during breakfast.
The Fly is a both humorous and serious take on reincarnation, and The 1950s House features a home that’s frozen in time. Trick or Treat combines several people’s accounts of a Halloween night at a house where the owner might be the one with the tricks.
In Night Terrors and The Photo Bomber the narrators are trying to figure out what is happening to them, and the evidence they have to piece together is ominous.
Read in: September 2022 Edition and format: Kindle edition 2021/ARC provided by the author First published: December 2021
This volume of Horror Quickies contains over 15 horror short stories, told in Hudgins’ trademark first-person true story style. It’s another serving of twisted tales featuring dangerous creatures, haunted objects, cold-blooded murderers, otherworldly drug trips, maniacs making phone calls, exclusive but shady clubs, and much more.
Each volume typically packs diverse tales that cater to different tastes within horror subgenres. This collection would particularly please fans of scary dolls/puppets (Creepy Doll, Mr. Monkey & The Man) and (urban) legends (The Sewer Man, The Willow Grove Ghost).
Additionally, there are several tales that feature encounters with mysterious and dangerous individuals and groups of people with terrifying secrets (Strange Vacation, Club Fun, The DVD, The House Down the Block). These stories are full of tension, and Club Fun is particularly exciting for fans of the Ski Mask Saga.
A great standout in this particular volume is Killer Coffee, which features multiple perspectives, humor, and a dangerous love triangle with a twist.
Read in: August 2022 Edition and format: Digital ARC provided by the author First published: September 2022
Following the events in the village of Resthaven, Donnor, Ari, Tommy, Mikus, Saress, and the rest of the troop continue their mission for Lord Maorilan. Their group of irregulars becomes tightly-knit, sharing both tragedy and success. As they train on the way and shape up into a strong military unit, the gravity of the threat they are up against becomes more and more apparent. No one remembers the ondilaan being as close, as numerous, as savage and formidable as now. The furry warriors leave death and destruction in their wake, and news spreads of villages falling, lands being lost, of flesh being torn from bone as the ondilaan feast on their foes.
Meanwhile, in the Redtail Hold, Lord Maorilan is feeling the pressure. With resources scarce, manpower low, and his villagers scared, he receives unexpected guests from the Vale. The elves are looking for someone very important to them, and they know that Maorilan knows exactly who they’re after. How can Maorilan do the right thing without betraying anyone, and above all, do right by the people he’s vowed to protect?
The stunning worldbuilding set up in the first book is expanded on in this sequel, and continuity is maintained with ease and elegance. Information is revealed gradually and naturally, through conversations between the characters where necessary for the plot. The author yet again conveys deep knowledge of and confidence in the world he’s created, and it’s shared with the readers organically – always informing and entertaining, never overwhelming. The way each major character has a unique way of speaking is fascinating, and the snippets in different languages help ground the story in its world without breaking the flow.
Probably the most striking feature of both books is the sheer range and scope of it all: there are personal stories that help us understand some of the characters better, there’s the chronicle of the troop’s training and battles, there are the wonderfully tense scenes of courtly customs in the Hold, there’s the battle against the ondilaan on a larger scale. Not a single paragraph is boring, there is always something going on, and all of it is a delight to follow.
Most of the characters are ones we already know, and reading about them again feels like meeting old, cherished friends. They grow and change and evolve, but remain recognizable and memorable. Tommy’s coming of age continues, as he explores the enormous potential of his Tol, deepens his bond with his mother, learns about other races and cultures, and treats everybody with respect and wonder. The way he is truly interested in listening to other people and getting to know them is really sweet. His father, Donnor, is a great mystery, and yet we know enough about him to always root for him. Donnor’s amazing leadership skills combined with his compassion and kindness make for an awesome protagonist. His friendship with Mikus is absolutely beautiful, and his exploration of his feelings towards Yella and Ari is touching to behold. Mikus himself is a sort of rock both for everyone around him and for the readers. When he’s around, somehow you know it’s going to be okay. Ari is as wonderful as always; her already complex character is given even more depth. The banter between Mikus and Saress is refreshing, as a more playful, relaxed side of Saress is explored. Her character arc is amazing. There are also some cool new characters, like the sprite family; and some of the old characters, like Sella, are given more space to tell their stories. It’s also intriguing to finally meet Alaris Farlesdar, who was only mentioned previously. Lord Maorilan is a great character as well, and the way he navigates leadership, life as a noble, and the intricacies of custom and tradition in the face of a daunting threat to his people is fascinating. And that epilogue is thoroughly chilling.
This sequel also offers some more insight into the cultures of the elves and the sprites, which is super interesting.
There is some violence related to the battles and their aftermath, some swearing and adult themes. There is a map of The Endless Plains, and the illustrations are beautiful. The descriptions are so immersive, that it’s easy to get lost in the story even without looking at the map too often. At the end of the book book, there is a character list and a pronunciation guide for elvish, dwarven, and the sprite tongue.
After the epic brilliance of Resthaven, Silverlake exceeds all expectations. The story is enthralling, and the telling of it flows with ease at just the right pace. The worldbuilding is absolutely breathtaking, the characters are captivating in their depth and credibility. There is so much humor, and warmth, and heart. The themes of accepting each others’ differences, found family, friendship and loyalty are universal and explored in a wonderful way. This is top-notch fantasy, and there’s so much more to look forward to.
Read in: June 2022 Edition and format: Kindle edition 2021/ARC provided by the author First published: September 2021
The first Horror Quickies volume features around twenty stories of varying length, many of them subdivided into several parts. In terms of setting, they run the gamut from suburban homes, to creepy towns, dark roads, and abandoned hospital wings. There are various creatures that haunt the pages, both of human and of paranormal provenance.
As always within the series, the stories are told in the first person, meant to be first-hand accounts of allegedly true events. That gives them a campfire, suspense-of-disbelief quality. Many of the stories are short, quick-hit encounters that resemble what you would expect to read on a forum or hear from a friend’s cousin’s grandfather’s sister in law. As is often the case with such tales, there may not always be an ultimate answer as to what really happened, but that just lets the imagination run wild.
Another kind of tales typical for this author are the stories told from multiple perspectives, in which the second or third narrators add a different dimension to the narrative and help set up a twist (The Motel, Kidnapped).
The opening tale, Allensburg, is an example of one of those stories where the creepy encounters escalate gradually, as adventurers venture further and further into the mysterious town. This story features some truly memorable imagery, and hints at worldbuilding on a scale much larger than the story itself.
This particular volume will please fans of the ghost subgenre (The Séance, Ghost on the Bed, The Laundry Room Ghost etc.), but also lovers of twisted, bloodthirsty humans (Housesitting, Kidnapped, The Motel).
Read in: July 2022 Edition and format: Digital ARC received via BookSirens First published: June 2022
Mammoth Drop is the third book in the Kea Wright series, so dipping in without having read the previous two books seemed intimidating at first. However, the story is so engaging, that it sucks you in immediately. The characters are exceptionally well written, and it’s easy to care for them even after meeting them for the first time.
Geologist Kea Wright is invited to visit a cave system in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The owners are preparing to open the cavern to the public and offer more and bigger tours. At the same time, a dedicated excavation team is working on a fantastic discovery that gave the complex its name – Mammoth Drop. When someone close to Kea is brutally murdered inside the caves, she is pulled into the mystery on a personal level. All sorts of questions start emerging, and the clues have to be handled as carefully as mammoth bones, carefully dusted and organized, the debris and red herrings discarded. Kea, whose personal life is already in turmoil, now must find answers that might change her future. Conducting their own investigation are Kea’s friend Carter and his partner Leo. They are all staying at the Woolly Hole, a nearby gay campground where the mimosas flow like water and every night there’s a themed party and an opportunity for the inhabitants to drag it up.
Mammoth Drop ticks all the boxes for a good cozy mystery. The Woolly Hole and the cave system are both fascinating in their own ways, making for a very unusual setting with interesting inhabitants. The mystery itself keeps you guessing until the end when things fall into place and you realize which clues were worth paying attention to. Finally, the aspect where the author truly knocks it out of the park are the characters and the dynamics between them. They are all so complex, layered, and portrayed so vividly. Kea is wonderful both in her strength and her vulnerability. Her keen mind, resilience, humor, personal pain and trauma, less-than-perfect bedside manner make for a delightful and ultimately exceptionally likable character. Carter and Leo are also both great, you can’t help but root for their relationship and want them to communicate their differences better. The supporting cast – Kea’s fan club, Marine Layer the drag queen, Jean-Luc, Renata, Tanya, Chad – as many flavors there as the various delicacies enjoyed by the fan club members. The banter is fantastic, and there is just so much heart between the pages: touching personal stories, humor, complex interpersonal relationships, adventure and mystery.
The way the science is explained is deeply engaging and never seems boring or overwhelming. Even though it may touch on the speculative in some respects towards the end, the ideas presented are truly worth considering. The academic background of Kea, Henry, Carter, and Victor puts a special spin on the story. Curiosity, the search for knowledge, and engaging with that knowledge are universally relatable, regardless of academic degrees and titles.
My Murmuring Pages 