Keith Anthony BairdCritiques

Full disclosure, I did not read the last story in this collection, partly because I am so far behind in reviews and partly because Sci-fi is something I need to be in the mood for and my current mood is OMG the holidays are coming and I have a million things to do. That being said, I did enjoy the 5 stories I read. They are dark and deeply disturbing. I will just touch briefly on my favorites. "Skullcherry Orchard" was a spectacular read for me probably because I love all those paranormal investigation shows and this story has a lot more to offer than people whispering WHAT WAS THAT. I would definitely avoid eating the cherries though. I also loved the first story "The Sable Lane Catering Company' though at times I had to peek at it through my fingers for fear of what I might see next. It is extremely gruesome and if you like to snack while you read you may not want to eat while reading this one. Also it's not nice to play with your food!

I received a complimentary copy for review.

I went into this short story totally blind, not even having read the synopsis. I don't normally do that, nor do I often stray from the horror genre. I knew only that it was a short story, which as I've said many times, I'm rather addicted to those. So with that being said it becomes immediately apparent that a man with a troubled past has found his way to a death cult looking for a sense of belonging that he has never experienced.

"Even though I was angry with him he was still the only person I admired, and the broken part of me that had brought me to him in the first place was stronger than the rest of me back then"

At first glimpse it seems he will become just another lost soul in a long list of disciples, but then he meets a woman who makes him reconsider, and he begins to plan an escape.

It's hard to say much more without giving anything away but you could have knocked me over with a feather when the ending came, I was that surprised.

I received a complimentary copy for review.

Contains:
Forward / Eric Larocca
Editor's Note / Keith Anthony Baird
Night and Day and In Between / Jonathan Janz
Cat Daddy Sam / Scott J. Moses
Regrets Never Die / Rhonda J. Joseph
Hexenmeister / Sara Tatlinger
Conjure Blood / Anne Gresham
Dead American / Shane Hawk
The Iron Coffn / Laurel Hightower
Shelly Nears / Chris Sorensen
Teen Spirit / Rowan Hill
The Median King / Hailey Piper
Down the Hill Fell Jack and Hill / Vivian Kasley
Sunnies / Sadie Hartmann
Collection Day / Nicole M. Wolverton
Drowning in Doubt / Rayne King
Daughter / Hunter Shea
Black Teeth / Gabino Iglesias'
Return to Voodoo Village / Patrick Barb
Six Sides / Cynthia Pelayo
The Kit / John F.D. Taff
Mischeif / Richard Chizmar
East / Nick Moorefox
June, 1987. Hitchhiking Mr. Norris / John Langan

A Seed in A Soil of Sorrow was an horrific way to spend my lunch hour!

Since I was a teenager, I've always had an interest in psychiatry, specifically regarding serial killers and cults, (both leaders and followers.) All of which brings us to the Viridian Chapter. Set on the site of crimes against humanity, the Chapter promises a life free of worry, but we all know how that usually turns out, don't we?

I can't say anything more because...spoilers, but I found myself captivated by this short tale. Of course, I'm mostly caught up with the psychology of the main character and what brought him there. Then, once we meet the man in charge, (because it's almost ALWAYS a man, isn't it?), I wanted to discover what his motivations were as well. There are no easy answers here, though, but I can say, I was stunned by the time the story was over!

What an entertaining way to spend my lunch hour! Highly recommended!

Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3e7Kzl5

*Source: I bought this story with my hard earned $1.28!*

DIABOLICA BRITANNICA is an anthology of stories put together to benefit COVID19 research in the U.K. When one of the authors contacted me about reviewing the book, I jumped on the chance, (and then I bought a copy too.) These tales do not have a connecting theme, but damn! This was a great bunch of stories.

Among my favorites were:

The Conductor by Arthur M. Harper: A man is waiting on the platform just before the midnight hour when the conductor appears. I'm not saying any more about it, but I LOVED this tale!

Footsteps by Janine Pipe: Just...wow! Loved this short tale complete with its prologue. I have a fondness for stories that start off going in one direction and then end in a completely different one. Bravo!

The Flow by Tim Lebbon: This author's tales are always good, but The Flow was EXTRA good because of the themes involved-domestic violence being one of them.

We Plough the Fields and Scatter by Stephanie Ellis: I love folk horror tales or stories where local rituals are followed. It's time to harvest and some rituals are still in place in those small, dark, farming towns.

Linger by John Leonard: This one is part of Leonard's Dead Boxes Archive. The tale itself is an age old one in the horror genre: A man inherits a house/mansion from a man he never met. These types of stories are excellent when done well and this one definitely is.

The Hole by Sarah Budd. It's always hard on the children when a widowed parent remarries. This one made me chuckle because it was so dark. (I'm obviously a terrible person.)

Scripted in Shadows by Morgan K. Tanner. Where did this author come from? WOW, this story was super fun and sick all at once. A seemingly normal woman is having problems tearing herself away from her book. To the point of not working, not shopping, not eating. Hehehe, that's all I'm going to say. This was my favorite story of the collection.

With a formidable introduction by the legendary Ramsey Campbell, this anthology is sure to please and all proceeds go to to Covid research in the U.K. It's a win-win situation!

Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/325ZMgW

*I was provided an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. Then I bought my own copy as well.