From the TBR Pile: Blog Tour: Dark screams Vol. 2 anthology

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Blog Tour: Dark screams Vol. 2 anthology

Authors:Robert McCammon, Norman Prentiss, Shawntelle Madison, Graham Masterton, and Richard Christian Matheson

Publisher: Hydra

Date of publication: March 2015

Robert McCammon, Norman Prentiss, Shawntelle Madison, Graham Masterton, and Richard Christian Matheson scale new heights of horror, suspense, and grimmest fantasy in Dark Screams: Volume Two, from Brian James Freeman and Richard Chizmar of the renowned Cemetery Dance Publications.

THE DEEP END by Robert McCammon
Everyone thinks the drowning death of Neil Calder in the local swimming pool was a tragic accident. Only his father knows better. Now, on the last night of summer, Neil returns in search of revenge.

INTERVAL by Norman Prentiss
Flight 1137 from St. Louis by way of Nashville has gone missing. As anxious friends and family gather around the gate, a ticket clerk finds herself eyewitness to a moment of inhuman evil.

IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK by Shawntelle Madison
Eleanor has come from New York City to prep an old Victorian house in Maine forAmerica’s Mysterious Hotspots. Although she’s always thrown herself into her work, this job will take her places she’s never dreamed of going.

THE NIGHT HIDER by Graham Masterton
C. S. Lewis wrote about a portal that led to a world of magic and enchantment. But the wardrobe in Dawn’s room holds only death—until she solves its grisly mystery.

WHATEVER by Richard Christian Matheson
A 1970s rock ’n’ roll band that never was—in a world that is clearly our own . . . but perhaps isn’t, not anymore . . . or, at least, not yet—takes one hell of a trip.

I have always said that anthologies are great because there is something for everyone. Dark Screams Vol. 2 has five very short stories of suspense and horror. This book is really short, so it could be read in one sitting. For the most part, I was entertained by the stories..

I am familiar with most of the authors and have read full length novels by them. One of the things that I often find, with the exception of Stephen King, is that I don't enjoy most horror author's short stories as much. I always end up wanting more. There were two stories in the book that I think would have benefited from a longer length. Interval and The Deep End were interesting, but I know I would have loved them had they been longer. I'm not really sure I "got" Interval and I believe the length was the issue.

The creepiest out of the lot was If These Walls Could Talk. With a longer length, I think it would make a cool "found footage" movie. The Night Hider was the most interesting to me as it involves a wardrobe and a twist on one of my favorite book, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. The last one, Whatever, I didn't even understand. I didn't like the format so that may have played into it.

This is the second volume. I have not read the first, so I'll have to add that to my TBR pile soon. I will be reviewing Dark Screams Vol. 3 on May 19, so make sure to check back!