Tag Archives: Ghosts

Return by Yvonne Navarro

December 13, 2020Book ReviewGhosts, Horror, The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Womenskyebjenner

Image result for the mammoth book of ghost stories by women book cover

Title: Return
Author: Yvonne Navarro
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror
Dates read: 13th November 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: My coach says I’m goo enough for the pros.

Mara has Returned.

Return deals with death a little bit differently from some of the other stories in the The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women collection. Death in this is treated as a way of finding peace and an ending to some pretty horrible things in the living world. It was seriously tragic, but I liked how death was a nice ending.

I love that throughout this story Mara says absolutely nothing. All of the drama and horribleness unfolds as she just… sits there. The moments that are revealed are spine-tingling and horrifying. And the fact that it all unfolds around a girl who just sits there and watches… it somehow made everything all that much better.

Outside of death and peace, this is all about facing up to the consequences of one’s actions. The fact that the consequences are horrible and twisted… well, it’s a good reminder that every action has consequences.

<- Freeze Out

Let Loose ->

Image source: Goodreads

Freeze Out by Nancy Holder

December 12, 2020Book ReviewGhosts, Horror, Nancy Holder, The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Womenskyebjenner

Title: Freeze Out
Author: Nancy Holder
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror
Dates read: 12th November 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Cody found himself remembering walking into the Lazy Daisy Flower Shop on the night of the prom to pick up Tiffany’s corsage.

It’s their mother’s funeral and their father has dementia. But he might not be as clueless as he thought he was…

Freeze Out is filled with very many creepy twists and turns. It was hard to gain a grasp on who the bad guy and the culprit in this story was. And where the ghost aspect of the ghost story would com in. Every time I felt like I had a grasp on the story, something would change and I would be swept down another turn that I just wasn’t expecting.

The “bad guy” in this story really wasn’t who I expected. Rather, towards the end, when everything was revealed, and the darkness lifted from the family… I was kind of surprised and also content to finally turn that final page.

Freeze Out was very well written and a phenomenal short story. However, it was also difficult to read and experience. Difficult in the fact that it gave me the heebie jeebies right the way through. And, although I enjoyed this, it also left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth.

<- The Third Person

Return ->

Image source: Goodreads

Seeing Nancy by Nina Allan

December 8, 2020Book ReviewGhosts, Horror, Nina Allan, The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Womenskyebjenner

Title: Seeing Nancy
Author: Nina Allan
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror
Dates read: 9th November 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: He solved that particular problem by himself.

Things have started going down in their marriage, ever since they moved into the new house. And then this crime writer meets a young girl named Nancy and the past comes to the present.

I thought that this was going to be one of those stories that had a happy ending and wasn’t completely deranged and creepy at the end. Right up until that final moment, I even thought that my wish might come true. But I was so very, very wrong and there is a great, strong image imprinted onto my mind at the end of this story.

The entirety of this short story is written in first person, letting the weirdness unfold as you travel alongside the characters in this story. It was very well written and a very enjoyable journey. It just didn’t have a nice feeling at the end of all of the tragedy that was uncovered. And, honestly, there are soooo many unanswered questions, ones that I really don’t want to leave up to my imagination, because that takes me to weird places.

Not only was this story a bit disturbing and difficult to get through. Particularly as Roy’s story unfolded. There was so much more about the story that was tragic. But him being lost somehow was the worst thing…

<- Scairt

The Third Person ->

Image source: Goodreads

Scairt by Alison Littlewood

December 8, 2020Book ReviewAlison Littlewood, Ghosts, Horror, The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Womenskyebjenner

Title: Scairt
Author: Alison Littlewood
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror
Dates read: 7th November 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Away from the path the ground was covered in little mounds, old branches maybe, covered in moss and tight, star-shaped leaves.

She’s moved from her home to Scotland with her grandparents after tragedy struck. But will a walk in the woods lead to another tragedy?

Scairt started out a little bit creepy. And I had this horrible, uneasy feeling from the very beginning. But that slowly disappeared as the story unfolded. And eventually there was a really nice happy ending to the story. Not something that happens often in ghost stories. Or at least, not in my experience.

I love that the ghost in this story was actually protective. Maybe not what you would consider good… but it was most certainly protective. And it was this protective nature that lead to the happily ever after in this story.

Partnering a ghost story featuring children and tragedy with the beauty and eeriness of Scotland worked fantastically. I loved this whole setting and story. It was completely brilliant and a heck of a lot of fun.

<- The Fifth Bedroom

Seeing Nancy ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Fifth Bedroom by Alex Bell

December 6, 2020Book ReviewAlex Bell, Ghosts, Horror, The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Womenskyebjenner

Title: The Fifth Bedroom
Author: Alex Bell
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror
Dates read: 6th November 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: And when that happens, love – or what passes for love – dies too.

Chloe is bitter about the past and the accident that tore down her life. So she’s moved to her own home to lick her wounds in private. But the non-existent fifth bedroom bell keeps ringing and she just can’t seem to find that peace she so deeply desires…

Yeah. I really shouldn’t have read this short story at dusk. While the wind was blowing through my house. And the wind chimes hanging in my window were going mad. Talk about mood-setting…

This was a really creepy story. There is something about bitterness that seems to be more terrifying than anger or sadness. It’s like a disease that eats someone from inside. The fact that Chloe’s bitterness leads to her sad ending was intense and really, really sad. It may not have quite ended the way that I anticipated… but it was still creepy and a reminder to let go of the past.

Finishing this short story left me feeling seriously disturbed. And uncomfortable. And just plain not ready to go to sleep. I may have poured myself a big glass of wine and taken a pretty big gulp after finishing this. It left me feeling that unsettled…

<- Sister, Shhh…

Scairt ->

Image source: Goodreads

Sister, Shhh… by Elizabeth Massie

December 5, 2020Book ReviewElizabeth Massie, Ghosts, Horror, The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Womenskyebjenner

Title: Sister, Shhh…
Author: Elizabeth Massie
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror
Dates read: 5th November 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Wait.

Charity and Fawn just wanted to escape The Prophet and his brother, their husband. But things don’t quite go as planned, and Charity wakes up in a cupboard.

There is something about cults that always pulls me in completely. And also leaves me feeling very freaked out and uncomfortable. After all, cults are all about brain washing and the sorts of horrible things that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy…

The ending of this story is beautifully open-ended and not conclusive at all. It gives me plenty of room to imagine a terrible, horrible and gruesome comeuppance for Rufus and The Prophet. And for all of the others in this story who have preyed upon the weak… a trio of ghosts can probably do a lot of damage if they’re focused on revenge enough.

Sister, Shhh… was all about victims and the vulnerable. It’s bad enough when people are preyed upon… but when those who are preyed upon are vulnerable and innocent? Yeah, it most definitely made me shudder to read this. And feel all sorts of sympathy throughout.

<- The Ninth Witch

The Fifth Bedroom ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Ninth Witch by Sarah Langan

December 4, 2020Book ReviewGhosts, Horror, The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women, Witchesskyebjenner

Title: The Ninth Witch
Author: Sarah Langan
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror, Witches
Dates read: 4th November 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Her feet were webbed; her hips wide.

She’s the ninth daughter of a horrifying man, and life has not been kind to her or her sisters. But, this ninth daughter is also a witch, and things may end up alright if she just trusts in her power…

The Ninth Witch is a gross, creepy, and seriously disturbing short story. It basically careens from one horrible moment to another as the story unfolds. And it’s just… not okay. Or comfortable. Or really anything that makes me have happy feelings when reading a story. But it is also a really good story, one which I would pick up again.

Although this story was seriously disturbed and filled with the horrors of being a woman, it did have a happily ever after. Which is probably why I would love to read this again. After all, I can put up with a lot of horrible nonsense in my stories, if there is going to be a happily ever after.

Ultimately, this story is one that is about the lengths that a mother will go to to protect her child. And the fact that you should really never get between a mother and child, regardless of what species / powers they have.

<- The Lost Ghost

Sister, Shhh… ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Lost Ghost by Mary E. Wilkins-Freeman

December 3, 2020Book ReviewGhosts, Horror, Mary E. Wilkins-Freeman, The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Womenskyebjenner

Title: The Lost Ghost
Author: Mary E. Wilkins-Freeman
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror
Dates read: 3rd November 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 1903
5th sentence, 74th page: “I never eard anything like it in my life,” said Mrs Emerson, staring at the other woman with awestruck eyes.

Two old gossips talk about the old house that finally has some new occupants. And the little, lost girl who used to spend her time there…

I’m not sure why, but there is always something a little bit extra creepy about children ghosts. They give me the absolute heebie geebies. Kind of like porcelain dolls. So any short story that features the creepy little demon children, I’m going to get the horrible goosebumps. Alright, this wasn’t the most horrifying story which features child ghosts in this collection, but it was still pretty damn creepy.

Although the ending to this short story was still pretty creepy, it was also kind of cute. And sweet. Or I’m just one seriously messed up woman. After all, the lost ghost leads another lost soul off into the sunset, and it feels like neither one is so lonely anymore.

This is most definitely a short story that I’m going to read again! It was everything that a ghost story should be. But with a less tragic ending.

<- The Madam of the Narrow Houses

The Ninth Witch ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Madam of the Narrow Houses by Caitlin R. Kiernan

December 2, 2020Book ReviewCaitlin R. Kiernan, Ghosts, Horror, The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Womenskyebjenner

Title: The Madam of the Narrow Houses
Author: Caitlin R. Kiernan
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror
Dates read: 2nd November 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: That both Mr Wells and Mrs hunt died in November has always seemed significant, and sometimes this sempstress who is not a medium imagines it a portent of some sort, conceivably that she herself will perish on a chill November day, only after the crisper delights of October have finished, and that thought bestows a certain solace.

She lives in a narrow house, one that is filled with mystery, grief and death.

This story was one of those that is beautiful and ethereal and on my read again pile. But, unlike most stories that I find like that, I’m not entirely sure what was actually happening. I’m getting used to that with Kiernan’s stories. They all seem to be impossible to put down, but impossible to describe. I love it.

There is so much symbolism and so many hidden layers throughout this story. It furthers my desire to reread this at a future point in time. I love stories which are heavy with symbolism – they’re the type that no matter how many times you read them, you find something new to engage and captivate.

Although I can’t quite describe what went on in this story, it is one that most definitely feels hauntings. There are amazing feelings of death and hauntings throughout. And an overwhelming feeling of loneliness.

<- The Shadow in the Corner

The Lost Ghost ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Shadow in the Corner by Mary Elizabeth Braddon

December 1, 2020Book ReviewGhosts, Horror, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Womenskyebjenner

Title: The Shadow in the Corner
Author: Mary Elizabeth Braddon
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror
Dates read: 1st November 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 1879
5th sentence, 74th page: “I hope she’s respectable,” said Michael.

It’s an old house with a horrible, haunting past. Maybe you shouldn’t ignore the horrors of the past in the present.

This short story is a reminder that you really shouldn’t mess with ghosts and hauntings. That you shouldn’t ignore people when they tell you that they’re scared. The price of ignoring the horribleness of this house at the end of this tale? A really bad tragedy that kind of broke my heart.

It felt like this story was the beginning of a really horrible repetition. That this story was going to repeat again and again, no matter what people did. Unless people start to believe in the haunting.

This story was really eerie and melancholy, leaving me looking at the shadows in the corners and letting my imagination run wild. Something that I know I shouldn’t do… but I did anyway.

<- Dead Flowers by a Roadside

The Madam of the Narrow Houses ->

Image source: Goodreads

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.

Tag Archives: Ghosts

Return by Yvonne Navarro

Freeze Out by Nancy Holder

Seeing Nancy by Nina Allan

Scairt by Alison Littlewood

The Fifth Bedroom by Alex Bell

Sister, Shhh… by Elizabeth Massie

The Ninth Witch by Sarah Langan

The Lost Ghost by Mary E. Wilkins-Freeman

The Madam of the Narrow Houses by Caitlin R. Kiernan

The Shadow in the Corner by Mary Elizabeth Braddon