Halloween: Magic Mystery and the Macabre

The farther we've gotten from the magic and mystery of the past, the more we've come to love Halloween - the one time each year when the mundane is overturned in favor of the bizarre, the "other side" is closest, and everyone can become anyone (or anything) they wish... and sometimes what they don't. Introducing nineteen original stories from mistresses and masters of the dark celebrate the most fantastic, enchanting, spooky, and supernatural of holidays.

Stories:
“Black Dog” by Laird Barron
“From Dust” by Laura Bickle
“Angelic” by Jay Caselberg
“Pumpkin Head Escapes” by Lawrence Connolly
“All Hallows in the High Hills” by Brenda Cooper
“We, the Fortunate Bereaved” by Brian Hodge
“Thirteen” by Stephen Graham Jones
“Whilst the Night Rejoices Profound and Still” by Caitlín R. Kiernan
“Trick or Treat” by Nancy Kilpatrick
“Long Way Home: A Pine Deep Story” by Jonathan Maberry
“The Mummy’s Kiss” by Norman Partridge
“All Souls Day” by Barbara Roden
“And When You Called Us We Came To You” by John Shirley
“The Halloween Men” by Maria V. Snyder
“Lesser Fires” by Steve Rasnic Tem & Melanie Tem
“Unternehmen Werwolf” by Carrie Vaughn
“For the Removal of Unwanted Guests” by A.C. Wise
“Quadruple Whammy” by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

Goodreads

Amazon

Review:

Halloween anthologies are one of the best ways to celebrate the season. This one in particular was absolutely stellar with stories from today's top novelists and short story writers. These short works of fiction take us inside the myth and dark wonder of the season and help us to embrace the sinister side of a holiday that has vastly become known for candied corn and children's parties. Some of my absolute favorites were:

"The Halloween Men" by Maria V. Snyder   A  world of masks and wonderment!
"The Mummy's Kiss" by Norman Partridge   Never watch a movie the same way again!
"Quadruple Whammy" by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro  Woooo!!!
"We the Fortunate Bereaved" by Brian Hodge  Those small town traditions...spooky!!!

Just to name a few. These authors bring to life the shadow lands that make up a good horror story and keep the bonfires burning. I have found a whole host of authors to watch and some old favorites to revisit again with these stories. Many thanks to Paula Guran for sending a review copy

5/5 for a spooktacular blend of stories that kept my nights entertained and one I will revisit every Halloween to come! I read every last page, loving each and every story.