Synopsis:
Between the covers of Darkest Hours, you will find academics in distress; humans abusing monsters; demons terrorizing people; ghostly reminiscences; resurrected trauma; and occult filmmaking. Ranging from satirical to dreadful, these sixteen stories share a distinct voice: urgent, sardonic, and brutal.
This expanded edition includes a new foreword by Sadie Hartmann (Mother Horror) and author notes for every story describing Thorn’s process, influences, and more. This updated release also features seventeen of Thorn’s essays on horror cinema, which cover films by Tobe Hooper, George A. Romero, Rob Zombie, M. Night Shyamalan, Wes Craven, and Dario Argento, among others.
Edition:
E-ARC
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary e-book copy of Darkest Hours from the author in exchange for review consideration. This does not in any way impact my review.
Triggers:
- one instance of a homophobic slur
- several instances of animal murder – sometimes ritualistic, sometimes not (if that matters)
My Thoughts:
Let’s break it down in my typical manner:
The Stories:
Foreword by Sadie Hartman
Sadie talks about the many benefits of short story collections, particularly when they are from new, or new-to-you authors. She also briefly mentions which stories from Darkest Hours were her favorite.
Hair
This was originally published in (now defunct) DarkFuse in 2016. It is the story of one man’s perverse obsession with hair. It’s icky, icky body horror at its absolute best.
“Tonight, Theodore voluntarily ingested hair for the first time.”
Mictian Diabolus
An interesting look at serial killer obsession. A group of adults break into the scene of a horrific serial killer’s crimes in order to party and indulge their own morbidity. But of course it doesn’t end well for them.
A New Kind of Drug
A teen plays with a very uniquely dangerous “drug” passed down through his family.
Party Time
A troubled alcoholic with a history of violence finds himself pursued by someone or something seemingly intent on ending his life.
Mired
This one was originally published in (the also, apparently now defunt – jeez it’s rough out there) Double Feature Magazine (2016). When he decides to clean up his storage space during a snow day, a man discovers an amorphous blob living there, and it wants to know what he knows. This one is very much different in tone than the others in this collection, but not in a way that makes it not fit. It just stands out as something quite unique.
The Auteur
A video store clerk’s coworker claims to be an auteur of “true horror.”
Choo-Choo
Originally published in Polar Borealis Magazine (2017). Two young boys find an abandoned train yard, but something feels…off…about it. At least it does to Charles.
Fear and Grace
A deeply traumatized woman reunites with the source of her trauma. This is a tough one.
Long Man
Originally published in Creepy Campfire Stories (for Grownups) (2015). A 6 year old boy is visited nightly by a terrifying, stretched out man-like creature in his mirror. The thing gnaws and chews hungrily on its own face. As a grown up, he comes to learn that he wasn’t the only one having these terrifying visitations. This one is truly creepy.
Economy These Days
A desperate young man struggling to find a job responds to an emailed job posting that seems both bizarre and too good to be true.
Sabbatical
Originally published in Dark Moon Digest issue 28 (2017). Gage and Thad head off to Thad’s fathers luxury cabin to work on their dissertations during sabbatical week. Thad is flying through his at an unbelievable pace, but how?
“Stars will collapse, and new lights will prick through the sky and screaming will not help.”
Satanic Panic
Based on his appearance and interests a young horror and heavy metal fan is the object of much suspicion when animals are repeatedly found around town ritualistically slaughtered. But what if all their Satanic panic wasn’t for nothing after all?
Speaking of Ghosts
Originally published in Vague Visages (2017). Jem has a poltergeist living in his storage room, and he’s talking to the endlessly pontificating Raymond about it.
This one, like Mired feels distinctly different in tone than its companions. This one is actually quite silly. But still spooky – don’t worry.
Lucio Schluter
A man meets his artistic hero, but it doesn’t go at all as he had hoped. Kill your idols, folks.
Fusion
Invasion/body horror in the woods. Fantastic.
Remembering Absence
Originally published in Straylight Literary Arts Magazine (2016). A story told from the POV of a ghost. A refreshing narrative choice.
Section 2: Criticism
I’m not going to break this one down by piece because this is already taking up a lot of real estate. You should just read the book, okay?
While I don’t always agree with Thorn’s theses, I do appreciate the skillfull, thought-provoking way he presents his evidence.
About the Author:
Mike Thorn is the author of the novel Shelter for the Damned and the short story collection Darkest Hours. His fiction has appeared in numerous magazines, anthologies and podcasts, including Vastarien, Dark Moon Digest, The NoSleep Podcast and Tales to Terrify.
His film criticism has been published in MUBI Notebook, The Film Stage, Seventh Row and Vague Visages. (from the author’s Goodreads page)
Rating:
Although not everything hit all the way home for me, this is an incredibly strong collection of stories and essays. You know how it feels nearly impossible to give 5 stars to a collection of works? Well, I still almost did it here. If there had been maybe one more piece that hit as strong as Hair did, it would have been a shoe-in.
Darkest Hours: Expanded Edition By Mike Thorn Journalstone Published: June 11, 2021 ISBN: 9781950305841 Paperback 262 Pages Author's Website
