A stellar cast of horror writers comprise this third entry in the Dark Delicacies anthology series. These twenty-one short works will examine and lay bare all the ways in which we are haunted—both literally and figuratively. With a new novella from David Morrell and a short story Chuck Palahniuk is writing as a teaching class on his blog, interest in this anthology will prove that the third time is no trick and all treat!
Introduction by Jeff Gelb
Foreword by Steven Weber
“Children of the Vortex” – Simon Clark
“Mist on the Bayou” – Heather Graham
“In The Mix” – Eric Red
“How To Edit” – Richard Christian Matheson
“Resurrection Man” – Axelle Carolyn
“A Haunting” – John Connolly
“Church Services” – Kevin J. Anderson
“Starlets & Spaceboys” – Joseph V. Hartland
“A Nasty Way To Go” – Arcath Mayhar
“The Flinch” – Michael Boatman
“Tyler’s Third Act” – Mick Garris
“Though Thy Lips Are Pale” – Maria Alexander
“The Slow Haunting” – John R. Little
“Food of the Gods” – Simon R. Green
“Do Sunflowers Have A Fragrance” – Del James
“The Wandering Unholy” – Victor Salva
“Man With A Canvas Bag” – Gary A. Braunbeck
“Fetch” – Chuck Palahniuk
“The Architecture Of Snow” – David Morrell
“One Last Bother” – Del Howison
Short stories – you gotta love ‘em. They can be read during your lunch break, during a tv commercial or just about any time you have a few free minutes. Now don’t get me wrong I love novels as much the next guy but there is nothing like a good short story that grabs you by the throat. Short, sweet and to the point. In fact, in a perfect world I am reading a novel and a short story collection at the same time.
The third installment of Dark Delicacies anthology series arrives just in time for my favorite time of year. I shouldn’t have to tell you what that is do I?
Del Howison and Jeff Gelb have brought another diverse and talented group of writers together for this collection, and there isn’t a bad tale in the bunch. In fact, this might be the best one yet.
Haunted is the theme here, and haunted these stories will leave you. Just about all anthologies have strong and not-so-strong stories, it is the nature of the beast. Not so in this case – I found all the stories to be quite good. Now some do stand out for me, and that is probably just my personal tastes.
Tyler’s Third Act by Mick Garris had my skin crawling. If you don’t get a reaction from this story, you are probably already dead.
The Slow Haunting by John R. Little takes a story of twins to frighteningly macabre levels.
Fetch by Chuck Palahniuk is an absolutely wonderful tale of a haunting that sounds kind of silly at first but delivers in spades.
The anthology ends with my favorite story in the book, The Architecture of Snow by David Morrell. Those of you familiar with David Morrell know what a monster talent he is, and you will not be disappointed.
If you have read the first two Dark Delicacies anthologies you will absolutely love this one. If you are new to this anthology series, do yourself a favor: start buying and reading them.
I give it two skeletal thumbs up and highly recommend it.
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