Synopsis:
With its twenty-one stories of serial killers and sociopaths, fixations and fetishes, breakdowns and bad decisions crafted by authors as diverse as their writing styles, Shadowy Natures leads fans of psychological horror down dark and treacherous roads to destinations they will be too unsettled to leave.
Under the tutelage of a charismatic caretaker, a young boy learns that the rules don’t apply to ‘exceptional’ people; under the blinders of parental love, a parent considers the after-effects of his daughter’s criminal exoneration.
One suburban dad finds himself inexplicably drawn to something he spies while walking the family pet, and another discovers buried compulsions awakened by his daughter’s dental deformity. Sorting through a deceased relative’s belongings, a family stumbles upon a horrific treasure, as a drifter with a dark secret wanders the Old West.
While a military officer spends his days delivering despair, a procrastinator is consumed by guilt after making a deadly mistake, and a businessman stumbles upon a bizarre family photo gallery.
Post-partum paranoia and isolation threaten one mother’s sanity until an outside threat pushes her over the edge while another mother picks at her son’s psychological scabs until he scrambles for release.
Urban blight bears down on a convenience store owner; a middle-aged man takes a terminally ill acquaintance captive to avenge his lover’s death; a depressed suburban housewife makes a strange new friend, and a neglected teen finds solace and inspiration in a vicious classmate’s company.
When her brother moves back into the family home, a woman becomes consumed by what he leaves behind; when a man disappears, his sister considers the warning signs he may have been leaving since childhood. One couple abandons urban life for the isolating wilderness while another plays a dangerous game, hoping to rekindle their relationship.
While one son revisits the scene of his father’s horrific crime spree, another returns home to ponder his family’s well-hidden secret.
From unique twists on traditional terror tropes to fresh frights found in the most innocuous of places, these tales will surprise and unnerve even the most veteran horror fans.
Edition:
E-Book
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for review consideration.
My Thoughts:
Well, that synopsis pretty much said it all, so I’m gonna try to keep this super short.
The Stories:
Mandibular Fixation by Lee Rozelle
Do you like stories about luchador-esque God cults? How about freaky dentistry-related horror? Is this weird enough for you yet?
Drifter by C.W. Blackwell
A drifter in the Frontier times really likes having company.
Taking Out the Garbage by Thomas Vaughn
A shopkeeper in a rough neighborhood learns something very troubling about a customer.
Seven Days of Dog Walking by Scotty Milder
A suburban dad finds something fascinating while out walking the dog.
In Control by Joseph Rubas
Frankie is always trying to maintain control.
Maternal Bond by K.C. Grifant
Post-partum psychosis and isolation cause a new mother to break when faced with the possibility of an outside threat.
Ring Rock by James Edward O’Brien
A couple moves to the rural wilderness and meets their only neighbor.
Uncle by Elin Olausson
This one gave me major The Boy vibes. The good one – not the stupid doll one. And I know…”good” is subjective, but I just hate the whole ‘haunted/possessed doll’ thing (aside from Charles Lee “Good Guy” Ray of course) so god damned much. So, yeah – anyway…none of that haunted doll crap here. Just a little boy being brought up by his uncle at their middle of nowhere motel.
In a Mother’s Eyes by Andrew Punzo
A military officer has to break the news to a mother that her son has been killed in action.
Accessory by K.N. Johnson
This is the neglected girl/vicious classmate story mentioned in the synopsis.
The Wolf Gang by Barrie Darke
A man discovers his coworkers awkward family photos. Honestly, I just didn’t really connect with this one.
His Death Brings No Respite by Thomas Kearnes
A man is bent on revenge after the death of his lover. Again, this one just really didn’t hit for me.
My Father’s Home by Jeremy Billingsley
A son reluctantly returns to his father’s home.
Itch by Louis Stephenson
This one has some truly grotesque stuff. Great for fans of body horror!
Heart Skull Heart by Bryan Miller
A man has to face the fact that his daughter is no longer the innocent little girl he remembers.
Cuckoo by Liam Hogan
A man uncovers a dark family secret after the death of his sister.
Lemonade by Paul Stansfield
A man finds some disturbing artifacts in the home of his deceased uncle.
Roger by Hollee Nelson
A troubled boy grows up to be a dangerous man.
Walking on Knives by Matthew R. Davis
A couple plays a dangerous game in an attempt to rekindle their sex life.
Christmas Shopper by Rudy Kremberg
A woman is haunted by an accident she contributed to in the parking lot of a store after doing some last minute Christmas shopping.
Abigail Winchell by Christina Delia
An unhappy housewife makes a strange new friend.
Overall Rating:
While not every story had the same impact for me, there wasn’t one here that I didn’t like at least a little, which is great tbh. A lot of times in anthologies there will be a story or two that I just give up on – so any time that doesn’t happen, it’s a win, don’t you think?
Also, there have been a lot of great anthologies to come out this year, and I’ve been so fortunate to have the opportunity to review some of them!
Shadowy Natures Edited by Rebecca Rowland Dark Ink Books ISBN: 1943201358 Published: September 10, 2020 Paperback, E-book 254 Pages
