Hannah-Beast

By Jennifer McMahon

This fast-paced little piece of fiction certainly packed a punch. That’s exactly what I want from a short story or novella. It needs to pull the reader in right from the beginning, keep you intrigued, and then hit you with a shocking, revealing moment.

Hannah-Beast was the perfect indulgence for a cool, rainy, bleak afternoon. I was in the mood for a creepy story, and this one certainly fit the bill. As I was reading, I could visualize every little detail that was playing out. Jennifer McMahon did a fantastic job of delivering an eerie story with a horrific twist.

*5 Stars

The Sleep Tight Motel

By Lisa Unger

There is something about the fall that makes me want to wrap myself in a blanket and curl up with a chilling read. The Sleep Tight Motel was a quick, entertaining story that kept my blood pumping in anticipation.

I’m always intrigued by a book in which a character is on the run, trying to get away from a villainous character. Give me a chase scene, and I’m even happier. That feeling of constantly needing to look over your shoulder, to escape, and to hide is a theme that always chills me to the bone. Lisa Unger did a great job of creating a creepy, intense read that readers can indulge in for under an hour.

*4 Stars

The Tangled Woods

By Emily Raboteau

I’ve been enjoying my little break times with the stories from the Dark Corners Collection. The Tangled Woods is a dark tale of humanity, and sometimes these stories are the most frightening because they are not really a far stretch from reality.

If I’m being honest, at first I was a bit wary of this story. We are inundated with politics these days, and when I sit down to read, I want to just lose myself in a story and forget about all the current political drama and strife. Do I want to put my head in the sand? When I’m reading, yes, I do. This story started out with a few political references, but it moved forward from it, and it became an interesting read.

Reginald Wright is an unlikable character right from the start, but I don’t really mind a despicable character when it’s obvious that it’s intentional, in fact, oftentimes I love to hate them. Even though this story is a bit dark, I did find a bit of humor in the family’s weekend away. We’ve all gone away for a fun-filled family getaway, only to find ourselves at our wit’s end with our loved ones from time to time. It may have been more over the top (at least I hope so), but it was still amusing and relatable.

The Tangled Woods is a well-written story that teeters on the edge of horror and darker topics. It grabbed me from the get-go and kept me entertained.

*4 Stars