Review: Doorbells at Dusk: Halloween Stories

Doorbells at Dusk: Halloween Stories by Josh Malerman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: DOORBELLS AT DUSK ANTHOLOGY
(Various Authors; edited by Evans Light, Gregor Xane)

A delightfully rich collection, suffused with horror of many flavors and degrees, some subtle, some "up front." Whether you choose to sample one at a time, like bonbons, or devour the entirety, here's a fine selection designed to keep you eager for (or fearful of) that special holiday, when leaves drop, woodsmoke scents the air, children quest for candy...and the Veil thins...

"A Plague of Monsters" by Charles Gramlich: In a peaceful, quiet, Louisiana community, a middle-aged man gaslights himself during an earlier-than-usual "trick or treat" event--or does he? Paranoia doesn't always ensure no one's after you. Sometimes what's disguised as "paranoia" is simply Instinct and Intuition. Yes, Virginia, Monsters do exist.

"The Rye-Mother" by Curtis M. Lawson: Halloween is the very most magically powerful night of the year-Celtic New Year--and surely on All Hallows Eve a misunderstood boy who "doesn't belong" in this mundane routine world can find a way--carve a bargain--to return to the real life he deserves--with a little helpful guidance--from the Rye-Mother.

"Day of the Dead" by Amber Fallon: As an old-fashioned anachronism, I always enjoy contemporary versions of medieval morality plays and "Be careful what you wish for" cautionary tales, such as the classic "The Monkey's Paw." In this story, the traditional holiday "Dia de muertos" gains an entirely new and vivid twist.

"Rusty Husk" by Evans Light:" Okay. I am now officially Halloween-terrified, afraid to open the door, afraid to look out the window, afraid to turn off the lights. From the first terrifying sentence to the last, this story's terror is unrelenting.

"Adam's Bed" by Josh Malerman: How scared am I? Terrified! The horror in this story is so subtle, as if creeping in on little cat feet, or tendrils of fog...But so frightening! Sometimes the Monstrous is in human form...but sometimes it's not!!

"Keeping Up Appearances" by Jason Parent: When I was a child, the popular phrase for social climbers and conspicuous consumers was "Keeping Up with the Joneses." Nowadays, it's "Keeping Up With the Kardashian." But nobody keeps up appearances like the family in this spooky tale--where the next "appearance" could be your own--countenance!

"Vigil" by Chad Lutzke: A tale both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, of an upper-class neighborhood with sturdy residents, bonded as neighbors and friends, apprised of each other's lives. A neighborhood where every resident participates in maintaining a long-abandoned property, preventing an eyesore. But ultimately, evidence of abandonment is not the problem: tragedy is.

"Mr. Impossible" by Gregor Xane: and sometimes the monsters are human. Greed, cupidity, hubris, make monsters out of "normal" folks...

"Between" by Ian Welke: A young woman at the crossroads of a life decision combines "weird mathematics" and hallucinogenic mushrooms with the thinning veil of Halloween and Dia de Muertos, and the magic of her native Los Angeles.

"The Friendly Man" by Thomas Vaughn. Out of the mouths of babes....Predators are not made but born...

"Many Carvings" by Sean Eads & Joshua Viola: Subtle and implacable horror, in a medieval type setting and framework. Pumpkins are not just for carving. Beware the one you trust the most.

"Trick 'em All" by Adam Light: gory Halloween horror, with masterful characterization. I reiterate: predators are not made but born.

"Offerings" by Joanna Koch: Terrifying! The implacability! There is no escape.

"Masks" by Lisa Lepovetsky: Subtly terrifying..There but for the grace...










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