Tag Archives: Horror

The Third Person by Lisa Tuttle

December 11, 2020Book ReviewHorror, Lisa Tuttle, The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Womenskyebjenner

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

Title: The Third Person
Author: Lisa Tuttle
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: Horror
Dates read: 10th November 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: “I have to meet Andrew at Ikea in thirty-five minutes, but that should be plenty of time for a coffee,” Rachel said, with a hug and kiss Imogen was not quick enough to avoid.

Imogen has always been the third person in her friends’ marriage. Now she’s the third person in an affair, but could things be far more sinister than even she realised?

I’m writing this review the morning after I read this story. And I can tell you, that of all the ghost stories that I’ve been reading recently, this is the one that made it really hard to sleep last night. After all, the final scene is of a knife and someone running in the help that they can defend themselves… it was seriously open-ended and made me stop to think about who has access to my house.

This whole story left a bitter taste in my mouth. From beginning to end. Not only because it features an affair, but all of those other little moments and hints throughout… I can’t imagine being a third person / wheel in someone else’s life, and this just made it all that much more… creepy. There were just way too many stalkerish vibes throughout this story.

All in all, this was seriously creepy and uncomfortable. But it’s also a bit of a reminder of some of the dangers and pitfalls of being a woman. Yup, sometimes it just seriously sucks…

<- Seeing Nancy

Freeze Out ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Corsage by Lauren Myracle

December 10, 2020Book ReviewHorror, Lauren Myracle, Paranormal Fantasy, Prom Nights from Hell, Young Adultskyebjenner

Image result for prom nights from hell book cover

Title: The Corsage
Author: Lauren Myracle
In: Prom Nights from Hell (Meg Cabot, Stephenie Meyer, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe & Lauren Myracle)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Horror, Paranormal fantasy, Young adult
Dates read: 10th November 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher:Harper Collins
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: The corsage curled, as if the petals were shrinking in on themselves.

A girl who is desperate for her forever boy to ask her to prom finds a corsage that will grant three wishes. But what follows creates a prom night from hell.

This was a seriously creepy and tragic prom story. Like goosebumps and looking over your shoulder (which in my case meant looking at a blank wall) type creepy. And yet, it was somehow kind of sweet and most definitely heartbreaking. More the kind of prom that I want to read about than the happy, sappy happily ever after crap. Which we won’t go too much into what that actually says about me…

The Corsage is a prom story about first loves and first heartbreaks. With a pretty major twist – it’s not the kind of heartbreak that you would expect. Or at least, it wasn’t what I would have expected in this collection. I had honestly anticipated a lot more happiness and cheerful endings. I’m so happy that Myracle proved me wrong.

Like a lot of stories that feature wish fulfillment in some way, this story acted as a great reminder that what you wish for may not be what you actually want and need. And sometimes making a wish can be the worst possible thing to do. It leaves this story sitting in my pile of not-so-happily-ever-after stories. And definitely one of my favourite novellas…

<- The Exterminator’s Daughter

Madison Avery and the Dim Reaper ->

Image source: Harper Collins

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: Horror

The Third Person by Lisa Tuttle

The Corsage by Lauren Myracle

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