Book Review- Flowers In A Dumpster by Mark Allan Gunnells

Flowers In A Dumpster is my first experience with Mark Allan Gunnells. Since Crystal Lake Publishing has proven itself to be a pretty reliable source of new and original horror, and with that cover looking all posterific, I could not resist.

Mr. Gunnells exceeds expectations with his tales of disturbing menaces cohabitating with a sense of humanity that compels you to keep reading. His characters seem real; some are quite likable. Others... not so much. His stories will take you down dark paths where you will encounter post-apocalyptic madness, dark humor in a support group you'll need therapy for after reading, a house too bad to be true, and a bit of pregnancy horror.

Not to mention all of the other stories that will surprise and shock. Mark leads the reader through a bit of familiar territory but still manages to captivate as you realize that Rod Serling could be narrating these very stories in a perfect alternate universe where the Twilight Zone is still being produced. If that is a bad thing, I don't know what to tell you. You can't account for taste all the time, and I don't want to argue with someone who could be anti-TZ.

If I have to pick a favorite story in this addictive collection, I would say The Locked Tower. Don't you know you always want to go where you're not allowed...

If you like some weirdness and fun, the hype is real. If you don't want to take my word for it, go see what Clive Barker has to say.

Find Flowers In A Dumpster and other books from Mark Allan Gunnells here...

Book Review- Tales From The Lake Vol. 1- Joe Mynhardt-Editor

When I read short stories, I like to pick at them. Much like I pick at the bones of the delicious fried chicken that my wife makes. I like anthologies that have a diverse selection of stories in different lengths that I can read when I find I have a bit of reading time, but not enough to get into a new novel.

Tales From The Lake Vol. 1 is the first in what I hope to be a long running annual anthology. Editor Joe Mynhardt has filled this book with fresh voices, seasoned veterans, and a couple legends of horror to give us a solid gem of a collection for horror fans.

Tim Waggoner kicks off the fun with Lover Come Back To Me, a haunting tale of a dark love pushing it's boundaries to the test.

Blaze McRob's shows his his "softer" side as he entertains with two poems that you probably won't want to find in a Hallmark card anytime soon.

Taylor Grant's Dead Pull is a perfect example of why pet shop owners should be wary of who they hire. Well told and fast paced, you will read this story in the time it takes you to check your Facebook updates.

Jennifer Loring's The Fine Art of Wrecking is another high point in this collection. A great sea story with plenty of blood in it's frothy waters. Remember, the sea never forgets...

Bev Vincent's Lady of Lost Lake and Elizabeth Massie's Don't Look At Me also deliver in a big way. Well told, nicely paced stories that are meant for one sitting.  Of course Graham Masterson does what he does best, and Witch-Compass is another classic by the legend, though I remember it well from Dark Terrors.  John Paul Allen, John Palisano, Joan De La Haye, J. Daniel Stone and William Ritchey all contribute strong stories that entertain and terrify to one extent or another.

All of these voices combine to bring a solid anthology that fans of horror short stories will love for generations to come. Nice job Joe Mynhardt, once again you have proven that Crystal Lake is not just a place for masked killers, but it is a home to terror of all sorts.

5 stars all the way.

Get dressed and head over to the lake...

-Cory Cline

Book Review- Dark Screams Volume 1- Richard Chizmar & Brian James Freeman (Editors)

Richard Chizmar and Brian James Freeman serve up a great appetizer of creeps and chills in this collection of shorts that will surely leave you waiting for the next in the series. 

I was a tad disappointed that the Stephen King short, Weeds, was a reprint. I soon forgot my disappointment after rereading this classic tale that, come to find out, has not been reprinted since his early Cavalier days. You will be looking for your copy of Creepshow when you are done reading this one, just to warn you! This story is a great treat for the hardcore King fans and a great way for new fans to get acquainted with his mastery of the short form. 

Kelly Armstrong follows with a dark and gritty revenge thriller that doesn't just go out with a bang, it goes out with some Michael Bay explosions so make sure your seat is in the upright position and please wear your seatbelts! Ms. Armstrong is always a delight to read, and this story will leave you squirming in your seat. 

Magic Eye's, Bill Pronzini's psychotic window into a madhouse is another solid entry that will not disappoint. Psychological horror by a master of suspense who captures the essence of madness and unleashes it in torrents, Magic Eye's reminds us that the eye's are the window to the soul. 

Simon Clark's Murder In Chains is the best and the worst of the stories. Simon Clark has created such a wonderfully horrific place that I can't believe this is all there is to it. I want more... correction, I need more. This should be one of those books that you could use as a doorstop if needed, or to bludgeon an intruder with, not a short story. I am crossing my fingers that Mr. Clark has realized this and is working on providing the necessary completion to this dark world. 

Ramsey Campbell brings this collection to an end with The Watched, a creepy tale that is far from my favorite of Campbell's but nonetheless a solid story that will make you pay a bit more attention to what may be lurking in the shadows outside your window at night. 

This collection, while a bit short in length, makes up for that with quality stories that will leave you anticipating the next installment in this dark series. Richard Chizmar and Brian James Freeman who are as capable of churning out tales as good as any of the authors in this collection, have begun a great endeavor that will wet any horror fan's appetite. 

I received this ARC from Penguin Group via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Get Dark Screams Volume 1 here...

-Cory Cline

Book Review- Pus Junkies by Shane McKenzie

Pus Junkies is a book....

                                                                                      See, I told you so.


It is the kind of book you read and people ask, "What are you reading?"

You pause before answering. Not necessarily out of shame, though many people will find themselves feeling ashamed after and while reading this book, but mainly because you know the asker of questions will next say, "What is it about?"

"Shane McKenzie wrote this book," you will say as if that answers it all.

"Cool," The asker of questions will say."What's it about?"

There it is, the question you knew they would ask. Out in the open dangling, like a dead fish. You tell them.

Silence.

The asker of questions will do one of two things... They will give you a wide-eyed look of horror; mouth agape, teeth pulled back in revulsion; or, they will avoid all future eye contact and find the nearest distraction they can find.

Shane has created a uniquely sick and twisted modern horror for the perils of teendom in Pus Junkies. He's crammed this book full of sex, bodily fluids, drugs, gore, and humor. Sometimes all at the same time!

If you enjoy the look of people who have just swallowed a bit of bile, read this book and spread the word... Parents need to know and talk to their children about the dangers of drugs, and Shane McKenzie is the reason why!

                                                        This book is why my family hates it when I read during meals!

Go get it on Amazon!

-Cory Cline