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Compiling the hardcover horror collections Masques III and Masques IV, this volume contains nightmarish tales from the farthest reaches of twisted imaginations to the deepest, most intimate recesses of tortured minds. Such horror masters as Ray Bradbury, Graham Masterton, Dan Simmons, F. Paul Wilson, and others contribute. Original.… (more)
I love anthologies of short horror fiction like this. Right up my alley.
I never seem to read them in order, though - so I'll just update this review from time to time as I go with my thoughts on each story in the order I read them.
PLEASE DON'T HURT ME - by F. PAUL WILSON **** Four Stars
A very short little story but a lot of fun, that manages to defy expectations while simultaneously fulfilling them. To say more would spoil the tale. Reminiscent of some Joe R. Lansdale tales.
SPLATTER ME AN ANGEL - by JAMES KISNER ***1/2 Three and a half Stars
I've neve heard of James Kisner before, but I really enjoyed his writing style and unabashed wickedness. This story bordered on bizarro, and reminded me a bit of writings by Chuck Palahniuk. Not the best story ever written, but I enjoyed the ride and sense of giddy wrecklessness it evoked. Will definitely be checking out other works by this author.
DRIFTER - by ED GORMAN **** Four Stars
Another fantastic story, very short, by a writer I've not read before. A drifter finds his way into a small town on halloween, but the local Sheriff wants him back on the road ASAP. A blond in a red VW Beetle has other plans for him though. Not groundbreaking, but well written and satisfying in its conclusion - no mean feat for a fourteen-page tale. I've already ordered an Ed Gorman collection from Amazon, looking forward to reading more from this writer.
Compiling the hardcover horror collections Masques III and Masques IV, this volume contains nightmarish tales from the farthest reaches of twisted imaginations to the deepest, most intimate recesses of tortured minds. Such horror masters as Ray Bradbury, Graham Masterton, Dan Simmons, F. Paul Wilson, and others contribute. Original.
Drifter - Ed Gorman Reflections - Ray Russell The Happy Family- Melissa Mia Hall and Douglas F. Winter Dew Drop Inn - D.W. Taylor Refractions - Thomas Millstead The Spelling Bee - Adobe James Better Than One - Paul Dale Anderson Ever, Ever, After - Graham Masterton Prometheus Declaration Of Love For The Vulture (Poem) - Alan Rodgers Long Lips - R. Patrick Gates Sinners - Ralph Rainwater Jr. Sunday Breakfast - Jeanette M. Hopper Third Rail - Wayne Allen Sallee Coochie-Coo - Mark McNease The Wulgaroo - Bill Ryan The Luckiest Man In The World - Rex Miller The Boneless Doll (Poem) - Joey Froehlich The Skull - Diane Taylor On 42nd Street - William F. Nolan Safe - John Maclay All But The Ties Eternal - Gary A. Braunbeck Pop Is Real Smart - Mort Castle When The Wall Cries - Stanley Wiater Return To The Mutant Rain Forest (Poem) - Bruce Boston & Robert Frazier The Willies - James Kisner The Drinking Party - K. Marie Ramsland Chosen One - G. wayne Miller Them Bald-Headed Snays - Joseph A. Citro Motherson - Steve Rasnic Tem Kill For Me - John Keefauver Shave And A Haircut, Two Bites - Dan Simmons The Orchid Nursery (Poem) - Amanda Russell Of Absence, Darkness, Death: Things Which Are Not Ray Bradbury The Pack - Chet Williamson Children - Kristine Kathryn Rusch Sea Gulls - Gahan Wilson The Coming Of Night, The Passing Of Day - Ed Gorman Please Dont Hurt Me - F. Paul Wilson Splatter Me An Angel - James Kisner Untitled Still Life With Infinity Perspective - Rex Miller Pratfall - John Maclay The Heart Of Helen Day - Graham Masterton Nothing But The Best - Brian McNaughton Somewhere (Poem) - Denise Dumars Milestones Face - Gary Brandner Julias Touch - David T. Connolly Savages - Darrell Schweitzer The Collapse Of Civilisation - Ray Russell Animal Husbandry - Bruce Boston Sounds - Kathryn Ptacek Whispers Of The Unrepentant (Poem) - t. Winter-Damon Obscene Phone Calls - John Coyne The Children Never Lie - Cameron Nolan The Other Woman - Lois Tilton Love, Hate, And The Beautiful Junkyard Sea - Mort Castle Sources Of The Nile - Rick Hautala Collaborationists - J.N. Williamson My Private Memoirs Of The Hoff553 Stigmaya Pandemic - Dan Simmons The Secret - Steve Allen
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I never seem to read them in order, though - so I'll just update this review from time to time as I go with my thoughts on each story in the order I read them.
PLEASE DON'T HURT ME - by F. PAUL WILSON
**** Four Stars
A very short little story but a lot of fun, that manages to defy expectations while simultaneously fulfilling them. To say more would spoil the tale. Reminiscent of some Joe R. Lansdale tales.
SPLATTER ME AN ANGEL - by JAMES KISNER
***1/2 Three and a half Stars
I've neve heard of James Kisner before, but I really enjoyed his writing style and unabashed wickedness. This story bordered on bizarro, and reminded me a bit of writings by Chuck Palahniuk. Not the best story ever written, but I enjoyed the ride and sense of giddy wrecklessness it evoked. Will definitely be checking out other works by this author.
DRIFTER - by ED GORMAN
**** Four Stars
Another fantastic story, very short, by a writer I've not read before. A drifter finds his way into a small town on halloween, but the local Sheriff wants him back on the road ASAP. A blond in a red VW Beetle has other plans for him though. Not groundbreaking, but well written and satisfying in its conclusion - no mean feat for a fourteen-page tale. I've already ordered an Ed Gorman collection from Amazon, looking forward to reading more from this writer.