Review: Unearthed

Unearthed by Richard Chizmar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review of UNEARTHED
by Richard Chizmar, Brian Keene, Ray Garton

This title collects two stories written quite some time back by the illustrious Richard Chizmar, author, editor, anthologist, and publisher. As he explains in an introduction, when he serendipitously came upon these two stories, he asked two masters of the horror genre to rework them with him.

"The Sculptor" is a collaboration by Mr. Chizmar and Ray Garton, and relates the tribulations of the eponymous artiste, a man who first gains recognition, then loses his motivation or perhaps his talent. When an unforeseen "impossible" event occurs, both motivation and talent are immediately, immensely, reawakened. As always happens when we "deal with the devil," there are drastic and tragic consequences. [Note: although there are Faustian tones here, the Sculptor doesn't seek out such a contract outright; rather the events are thrust upon him, sadly.]

"Roses and Raindrops"--I loved this story!--is narrated by a senior citizen living alone near the community of Aberdeen, Virginia. A prosperous and thriving community without crime, depressed economy, or any of the other plagues of modern society, Aberdeen is a great place to work and live; just not a great place to raise kids. The denouement is ravishingly horrifying, and the ending is, if possible, even better. This story is by Mr. Chizmar and Brian Keene.

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