Title: Dark Screams: Volume Two
Editors: Brian James Freeman and Richard Chizmar
Publisher: Hydra (Penguin Random House)
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Acquired Via: Publisher
Robert McCammon, Norman Prentiss, Shawntelle Madison, Graham Masterton, and Richard Christian Matheson scale new heights of horror, suspense, and grimmest fantasy in Dark Screams: Volume Two, from Brian James Freeman and Richard Chizmar of the renowned Cemetery Dance Publications.
THE DEEP END by Robert McCammon
Everyone thinks the drowning death of Neil Calder in the local swimming pool was a tragic accident. Only his father knows better. Now, on the last night of summer, Neil returns in search of revenge.
INTERVAL by Norman Prentiss
Flight 1137 from St. Louis by way of Nashville has gone missing. As anxious friends and family gather around the gate, a ticket clerk finds herself eyewitness to a moment of inhuman evil.
IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK by Shawntelle Madison
Eleanor has come from New York City to prep an old Victorian house in Maine for America’s Mysterious Hotspots. Although she’s always thrown herself into her work, this job will take her places she’s never dreamed of going.
THE NIGHT HIDER by Graham Masterton
C. S. Lewis wrote about a portal that led to a world of magic and enchantment. But the wardrobe in Dawn’s room holds only death—until she solves its grisly mystery.
WHATEVER by Richard Christian Matheson
A 1970s rock ’n’ roll band that never was—in a world that is clearly our own...but perhaps isn’t, not anymore...or, at least, not yet—takes one hell of a trip.
Praise for Dark Screams: Volume Two
“Dark Screams: Volume Two [is] a worthwhile read and a great entry to this series. If this upward trend in quality continues, we are sure to see amazing things in the volumes to come.” — LitReactor
“[Brian James Freeman] and Richard Chizmar set themselves a high standard with the first volume, and it’s good to see that they have maintained that level of excellence. . . . If you like good, solid horror, check it out. I’ve found some new authors to read.” — Adventures Fantastic
“Five fun-to-read stories by top-notch horror scribes. How can you lose? The answer: you can’t.” — Atomic Fangirl
“Once I started this book, I didn’t want to read anything else.” — Carole’s Random Life
My Review
I don't read that much horror now, as a blogger, but I still enjoy the genre. When I was offered Dark Screams Volume Two, I had to take it because it's been quite a while since I've read anything creepy or scary.
The Deep End
Robert R. McCammon
Sometimes there is little I love more than an unreliable narrator. (Just because something is horror does not mean that I will believe that a character believes to be true.) The protagonist, Glenn, just lost his son two weeks before in a swimming accident at the public pool. He's convinced that there is a monster lurking in the deep end and that it's his job to kill it. Being as this is a horror anthology, maybe Glenn hasn't gone "off the deep end" himself, and there's a monster after all.
Interval
Norman Prentiss
I really liked Interval. Flight 1137 suddenly went missing, and airline worker Michelle, and her boss Wade, have to make preparations for the worst. As they gather the families of the passengers, Michelle finds that there may be something more sinister than bad news waiting around the corner.
If These Walls Could Talk
Shawntelle Madison
I was immediately drawn into the story, and I was there with the characters. Then I didn't want to be. The Cask of Amontillado. That's all I'm going to say.
The Night Hider
Graham Masterton
This was another story inspired by another's work. I almost skipped over it in the middle because one of my "Nope" triggers, but there was an interruption. Despite it being a well-written story that was easy to read, I didn't really like it. I didn't care for its treatment of one of my favorite childhood books.
Whatever
Richard Christian Matheson
I did end up skipping Whatever. The format of it is a collection of emails, articles, and notes, an dit was a little too disjointed for my taste.
Overall, Dark Screams Volume Two was an enjoyable short horror collection. The next time I need a horror fix, I'll definitely grab another one of the Dark Screams volumes.
Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Google Play | Kobo
Follow the Tour
Dark Screams Tour Schedule
Monday, April 27th: A Fantastical Librarian – Volume 2
Wednesday, April 29th: No More Grumpy Bookseller – Volumes 2 and 3
Monday, May 4th: Bell, Book & Candle – Volume 2
Tuesday, May 5th: From the TBR Pile – Volume 2
Wednesday, May 6th: Wag the Fox – Volume 2
Friday, May 8th: The Reader’s Hollow – Volume 2
Monday, May 11th: Bibliophilia, Please – Volume 2
Tuesday, May 12th: In Bed with Books – Volume 3
Thursday, May 14th: Bell, Book & Candle – Volume 3
Friday, May 15th: Wag the Fox – Volume 3
Monday, May 18th: Bibliotica – Volume 3
Tuesday, May 19th: From the TBR Pile – Volume 3
Wednesday, May 20th: Sweet Southern Home – Volume 3
Thursday, May 21st: The Reader’s Hollow – Volume 3
Tuesday, May 26th: Kahakai Kitchen – Volumes 2 and 3
TBD: Bewitched Bookworms – Volumes 2 and 3
TBD: Bibliotica – Volume 2
Tour-Wide Giveaway
What You Can Win
- $25.00 eGift Card to the eBook Retailer of Your Choice
- eBook copy of Dark Screams: Volume Three
a Rafflecopter giveaway
To satisfy FTC guidelines, I am disclosing that I received an advance digital copy of the novel from the publisher through TLC Book Tours in exchange for an unbiased review. It has in no way affected the outcome. All expressed opinions are awesome, honest, and courtesy of me.
I'm glad you'll be looking to pick up other books in this series! Thanks for being a part of the tour.
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me!
DeleteThanks for the review. I am usually not that comfortable with the horror stories but it seems a good book.
ReplyDelete