Kenneth W. Cain

This book contains stories by some of my favorite authors but they know who they are and so do you. For that reason I'm not going to talk about them (this time)
From the first story "Devil's Dip" by new (to me) author Shannon Felton I felt like this anthology was going to be something special. By the time I got to "The Glimmer Girls" by Kenneth McKinley I knew I was right. I loved that this story was based on the real life Radium Girls! A symphony of macabre tales are perfectly arranged in this delightfully dark anthology. I have now been introduced to several voices in horror that I may not have discovered if not for this book. If you are looking for something spooky to read this Halloween season I highly recommend you grab a copy now.

I received an advance copy for review.
… (mehr)

From the depths of hell Midnight in the Pentagram has risen to entertain you with stories steeped in evil and simmered in fear. Demons frolic among humans, sometimes with their own purpose, or perhaps inadvertently summoned by middle school girls who never expected their ritual to wield such results.
Demons are not the only beings looking to lead you astray, beware too the people who accept you into their twisted family when you are at your most vulnerable, such as occurs in one of my favorite stories in this book The Corn Maidens by Brian Moreland. I think I could best describe this as Midsommar meets Dark Secret of Harvest Home but scarier. Father Macleod by Tony Tremblay was another of my favorites about a priest who attempts to rid his nephew of the demon that has possessed him. Another story of possession of a stranger type was Legion Cast Forth by Robert Ford in which demons are driven from their human hosts and into the swine belonging to Cletus the pig farmer. But Cletus is tired of this low paying deal and wants to strike a new bargain. Speaking of demonic possession Diminishing Returns by P.D. Casek takes a look at what may happen if a demon possessed someone with Alzheimer's disease.
Witches' Night by Owl Goingback was another of my favorites. When kids meet up in the cemetery with a spell book one night what could possibly go wrong? The Other by Laurel Hightower was another possession story with a creepy twist. Hellseed by Tim Curran was like a folktale, what happens when you bargain with witches and don't pay up? Babyteeth by Azzura Nox begs the question, what could lead a mother to kill her baby? Was it only post partum depression? My Body by Wesley Southard features bloody good fun and delicious food with a dark side as one restaurant reviewer/critic discovers. Discovering Mr Jones by Cameron Ulam is the story of a junk hauling crew who discover an unexpected and unwelcome surprise in a hoarder's home . The Gods of our Fathers by Todd Keisling Is the story of poor Mary who has lost her mother and does not belong in Christian school.
In Second Sight by Allan Leverone a blind woman has a most successful ocular transplant surgery and sees more than she ever wanted to, and perhaps more than she can stand.
All of these and more await you in the pentagram, enter if you dare.


I received an advance copy to review.
All of my reviews are posted at https://wellwortharead.blogspot.com/… (mehr)

I have enjoyed the previous horror anthologies published by Silver Shamrock, but I had put off reading this one for a while. I do love short horror stories but the title and the cover made me think this one may be just a little too outer spacey and sci fi for me. Well I'm here to say I was wrong. There were some stories that were not my cup of Tang, but most are full of terror and suspense that occur right here on earth. In fact you need not venture further than your local diner or hair salon for some of these spine tinglers.
My many favorites were-
Abduction Annie by Ronald Kelly in which a meddlesome mother in law finds out whether her daughter in law was truly abducted by aliens.
Unravelling by Stephanie Ellis, about a mother's boundless love.
Snow Blind by Kristopher Triana, in which a woman seeks shelter on the road from a brutal storm.
The Fear of Fallen Leaves by James Newman takes place in my favorite time of year, but Halloween is rough on a single mom who has a phobia of fallen leaves.
The Bulge by Rob E. Boley is a darkly humorous bit of body horror in which a man fears he has caught a "sex disease" but then probably wishes it was that simple.
Skin-Wrapped Gift by Chad Lutzke in which a lonely old man receives a gift that can end the world.
Too Many To Count by Jeremy Hepler in which a quiet evening at home is interrupted by strange creatures.
A Cat Named Sue by Jennifer Soucy begins with a girl who is desperate to keep her cat alive after it tried to defend her from her abusive step father.
The Sky and Above by Patrick Lacey is about a man who would do whatever it takes to get his missing girlfriend back
Skin Tags by Vivian Kasley is another really fun but gross body horror that begins innocently enough with a hair cut.
Whatever You Want Most by Megan E. Hart is about a lonely widow who drowns her sorrows in alcohol and edibles while raising her kids alone.
So whether you do like tales of life from other planets or whether you just enjoy straight up horror as I do, I think you will find this anthology to be an out of this world read.

My thanks to Silver Shamrock Publishing for the review copy.… (mehr)

This was a great horror anthology!

There are 30 stories within this book but I am only highlighting a few to give you a taste of what lies within with the name of the story along with a cryptic tidbit:

Father MacLeod by Tony Tremblay: A demon and a priest fight for a vessel

Opening the Door by Kenneth McKinley: Ancient things brings forth hell

Hellseed by Tim Curran: Demon baby?

The Oubliette of Elie Lloyd by Catherine Cavendish: A scorned lover gets the last laugh

I Know He Loves Me by James Newman: Demon lover or something more than that?

Second Sight by Allan Leverone: New eyes but what do they see?

Brujeria by Michael Patrick Hicks: A movie film that makes the audience do things not normal....

White Walpurgis by Tim Meyer: An odd wedding or is it?

Flaking Red Paint by Armand Rosamilia: Guardian cats or something else?

Complex by Jason Parent: A messiah or not?

Witches Night by Owl Goingback: A sacrifice gone wrong.....


That is just a small amount of stories that is contained within the pages of this book. There are far deeper and devilish stories that will make your hair stand on end along with shivers racing up and down your spine. Giving this book five "Hellish Horror Ride" stars.

For more thoughts on this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/2021/11/midnight-in-pentagram-by-kenneth-w-...… (mehr)