~ Saturday's Shadow by William Nolan - DNF - attempted but crazy unreliable narrator.

~ The Spring by Manly Wade Wellman - 3* - 2020 - a typical John the Balladeer story. The spring has healing powers and a witch wants access

~ Valentine by Janet Fox - own in another book

~ Mackintosh Willy by Ramsey Campbell - didn't like

~ Petey by T.E.D. Klein - DNF the first time, but 3.5* the second time.
2018: I tapped out too early I guess because I keep coming across good reviews that make me doubt my choice. // Upon re-read, I can see why I quit last time. The beginning of the story is the beginning of an adult house warming party. There is lots of "boring" conversation. They are discussing things like "what a beautiful & large house it is", "why isn't John here yet", "we can't start the tour until Ellen gets here"... That goes on for a lot! of pages. Then more interesting things start coming out. We learn the place was full of nasty smells and clutter when they moved in. Why?! There are cut scenes to the previous owner in a mental asylum. The current homeowner is spending a lot of time in the bathroom with stress cramps. He has no reading material so his mind starts wandering, is his memory of certain items in the attic accurate?. Back to the guests, they find a tarot deck in French and they are looking in the library for a French/English dictionary. Hmmm what is this card?

I am finally appreciating the "world building". It might be a bit too much effort when you are expecting a short story but it's worth hanging in there. I now realize that it is a novella & that slow development makes more sense. " ( )