Another day, another anthology I simply had to read because it includes a story by Seanan McGuire.
Wolves by Rio Youers
No one else can see the wolves that have begun appearing to Kieran.
“What is this?”
“The way forward,” Kieran replied.
Best Safe Life For You by Muriel Gray
Andy is certain he’s found the best home security money can buy and it only costs £5 a month.
“Used to be a good neighbourhood this. You let things run wild, well then.”
Souvenirs by Sharon Gosling
There’s only one thing Reg wants to take with him to Wisteria Lodge.
“It was there,” he said. “It was always there.”
The Operated by Ramsey Campbell
Beal has just received some bad news when someone offers him a solution.
“I’m going to be fixed.”
In the Wabe by Alison Littlewood
Vivian has been missing for three years. Her mother is determined to find her.
What do you eat under there?
Years. They taste just like milk.
I Promise by Conrad Williams
Alex’s father may have died but he’s not gone.
“Dad … what are you doing here?”
Flat 19 by Jenn Ashworth
Eve needs a break from her life. W can help.
“And where will I go, while it all … happens?”
The Forbidden Sandwich by Carl Tait
If you believe the story the tour guide told Dr Melgar, when you add a certain ingredient to a tomato sandwich, you will become brilliant. For a time.
“I keep worrying they will serve the Forbidden Sandwich.”
Autumn Sugar by Philip Fracassi
The smell of burning autumn leaves brings back fond childhood memories for Charles.
“I thought you finished the leaves yesterday.”
Collagen by Seanan McGuire
Our quest to defy our age ultimately leads to our undoing.
We had so many warnings. Warning after warning, and we ignored them all, because that’s what people do.
Remains by Charlie Hughes
The Railwayman visits her station over and over again.
The Railwayman wants my remains.
The Floor is Lava by Brian Keene
Mark knows Marsha is right when she urges him to go to the doctor.
But that fear was nothing compared to the terror and panic he’d been experiencing for the last half hour.
Ever since the bathroom floor had become lava.
The True Colour of Blood by Stephen Laws
His father has something important to tell him about their bloodline.
“It’s the blood, boy. It’s all about the blood.”
The Nine of Diamonds by Carole Johnstone
Annie really needs this job.
“Have you ever just wanted to walk up to someone and say I curse you?”
Room For the Night by Jonathan Janz
Mr Nelson is paying Stu to stay one night, alone, in his bedroom. It sounds like easy money.
“That’s when the trouble always begins.”
Welcome to the Lodge by Alison Moore
Helena is about to spend her first night at a sleep clinic.
“Does everyone here suffer from nightmares?” he asked.
“Everyone. It’s what we do.”
Going Home by Evelyn Teng
Isla’s parents made a really big mistake. Now they’re trying to fix it.
“We made our choice. Now we have to live with it.”
The Spaceman’s Memory Box by Laura Mauro
If you get the blue marble, you have to knock on the Spaceman’s door.
There’s nothing harder to let go of than the thing you almost had
Bags by Steve Rasnic Tem
Hank’s father is dying and it’s up to Hank to clean out his father’s hoard.
“Keep the ones you love close,” he whispered hoarsely. “They’re all you have in the end. To the rest of the world, you’re food.”
Rise Up Together by Adam L.G. Nevill
Mike moved to the seaside town five years ago and since then he’s become old before his time.
“I leave the curtains closed. Never open them at the back. Or the windows. Back is kinda … out of bounds. So please don’t open them.”
While I didn’t personally find any of the stories scary, I enjoyed them. I had four favourites: Jenn Ashworth’s story of a women who gives pieces of herself to the different roles she plays in her life, Carl Tait’s artist struggling to capture the image in his head on canvas, Seanan McGuire unravelling the cause of humanity’s unravelling and Charlie Hughes’ story of a killer getting rid of the evidence of his crime.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for the opportunity to read this anthology.
Once Upon a Blurb
Close to Midnight is the third volume in an annual, non-themed horror series of entirely original stories, showcasing the very best short fiction that the genre has to offer, and edited by Mark Morris. This new anthology contains 20 original horror stories, 16 of which have been commissioned from some of the top names in the genre, and 4 of which have been selected from the 100’s of stories sent to Flame Tree during a 2 week open submissions window.
Schizanthus Nerd 