I know it's almost Spring, but this holiday-themed anthology is a great read any time of year. Many of my favorite writers, both old and new come together to spread their own special brand of cheer.
Absinthe & Angels by Kelly Armstrong - A proper way to begin a holiday-themed anthology. Frightenly fresh.
"'A proper reading of Dickens requires absinthe,' Michael says as he lifts his glass. 'The nectar of the muses.' Ava shakes her head. 'There’s no way anyone could drink this and still write.'"
Christmas In Barcelona by Scott Smith - Traveling with an infant, What could possibly go wrong? Plenty. Well-told and ultimately horrifying.
Fresh As the New Fallen Snow by Seanan McGuire - Another wonderful tale. A babysitter who is no Mary Poppins. A morality play with a chilling ending.
Love Me by Thomas E. Sniegoski - A delightfully terrifying story. Like a Christmas episode of Tales From the Crypt.
"The Creeper was what they used to call him, given his unique ability to get inside a place where the owners were home and pick it clean with no one the wiser."
Not Just For Christmas by Sarah Lotz - What do you do when your genetic pet starts sending you spam advertisements?
Tenets by Josh Malerman - An effective story. When Adam comes to a Holiday Reunion of University classmates with a guest who is a former cult leader fresh out of prison, it's hard to tell which is worse the guests who leave or the one who asks the former cult leader what his tenets are.
Good Deeds by Jeff Strand - If you've ever been depressed by that Christmas song about the little boy who wants to buy new shoes for his dying mother, you're gonna love this Jeff Strand story.
It's a Wonderful Knife by Christopher Golden - An excellent play on words and a terrific twist.
Mistletoe and Holly by James A. Moore - Yet another solid entry in this anthology. Sometimes Christmas wishes are best left unfulfilled.
Snake's Tail by Sarah Langan - This one is beyond strange. A mysterious tale of disappearing children.
"The clock chimes. Two hundred thirty -six children evaporate from the crowd. First, they are there. Then, they are not. It’s a funny thing, witnessing something like that. Those people who have faith, lose it. Those people who have none, find it."
The Second Floor of the Christmas Hotel by Joe R. Lansdale - A very effective ghost story from Mr. Lansdale.
Farrow Street by Elizabeth Hand - A masterfully-crafted tale. A change of plans leaves Melanie alone in London at Christmas time. Reminded me of the time I was alone in Ft. Wayne at Thanksgiving, but that's another story.
Doctor Velocity: A Story of the Fire Zone by Jonathan Maberry - Maberry is a brilliant wordslinger as evidenced by this remarkable tale.
“Look, you know how I was when I was younger, what I went through. I understand horror. I’ve seen things in those foster homes far worse than the fangs of any vampire or the claws of any werewolf. I’ve felt horror breathing on the back of my neck as it held me in its hands and used me, took me, ripped me apart. I know monsters. Real ones?"
Yankee Swap by John M. McIlveen - The most horrifying game of Yankee Swap ever. I absolutely loved this ugly little tale. So twisted.
Honor Thy Mother by Angela Slatter - The family matriarch is not happy about the prospect of moving into a retirement home.
Home by Tim Lebbon - An atmospheric piece about the end times with a rather enigmatic ending.
Hiking Through by Michael Koryta - I've been aware of Michael for some time, but have never read his work before now. I must say, I totally enjoyed this haunting tale set on the Appalachian Trail in Maine. On Christmas Eve, no less.
The Hangman's Bride by Sarah Pinborough - The longest and perhaps the best ghost story to close the collection.
Hark! The Herald Angels Scream is, without a doubt, a collection which will bring joy to any horror fan and will cause any season to be the most wonderful time of year.
Recommended.
Published by Blumhous books, Hark! The Herald Angels Scream is available in paperback, e-book and audio formats.
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