Halloween Stories reviewed

The Mammoth Book of Halloween Stories edited by Stephen Jones. Skyhorse $14.99

Reviewed by Peter Coleborn

As with all anthologies, the contents reflect the ideals and tastes of the editor. It is inevitable that you, the reader, will discover a range of stories some of which may not be to your own preferences. I am glad to report that this reader discovered a book that met my appetite for fine fiction all round. And I’m sure it will meet yours, too. This is an anthology that will grace any bookshelf.

Click here to read the review.

 

Dark Detectives

Coming soon: Dark Detectives, edited by Stephen Jones, is due from Titan on 20 March (£8.99): “Eighteen stories of supernatural detective fiction, featuring sleuths who investigate fantastic and horrific cases, protecting the world from the forces of darkness. The authors offer tales of great fictional detectives, including Neil Gaiman’s Lawrence Talbot, Clive Barker’s Harry D’Amour, and the eight-part “Seven Stars” adventure by Kim Newman.”

Also appearing in this anthology of supernatural mysteries: Brian Lumley, Peter Tremayne, R Chetwynd-Hayes, Basil Copper , William Hope Hodgson, Manly Wade Wellman, Jay Russell and Brian Mooney. The book also features numerous fine-line illustrations by Randy Broecker.

 

 

Zombie Apocalypse! Washington Deceased by Lisa Morton

Zombie Apocalypse! Washington Deceased is set within the Zombie Apocalypse! mythos created by Stephen Jones (out  from Robinson £7.99)

“Washington Deceased is sent during the second half of Zombie Apocalypse! Fightback, when the zombies’ intelligence is increasing and they have formed themselves into a society, and an army. New York and Los Angeles have fallen to the walking dead and there has been no news out of Chicago, but Washington DC is holding out and the South is still free. Time is running out, though, for the battalions defending Capitol Hill…

As the most powerful symbols of American democracy begin to fall, the President and her advisors must be protected at all costs. But what if there are people in her own government who are prepared to do a deal with the living-dead invaders to retain power at any cost?

Meanwhile, ‘Zombie King’ Thomas Moreby is making his own plans to rule the United States as his control increases across the country. Moreby claims to have ‘foreseen’ his victory, but there are emerging factions in his own ranks who are starting to question their role in the war between zombies and humans. And how does the mysterious New World Pharmaceuticals fit into the New Zombie Order?”

There is nothing to fear, but fear itself … and Zombies!

 

Zombie Apocalypse: Horror Hospital by Mark Morris

The latest in the Zombie Apocalypse series, created by Stephen Jones, comes from Robinson on 19 June (£7.99) – Zombie Apocalypse: Horror Hospital by Mark Morris:

“A hospital in which the dead live … and the living pray for death. London is in turmoil following riots and the Trafalgar Square Massacre. A doctor in a big East End hospital, already hard hit by government cutbacks and increasing social unrest, starts to get reports of something having happened at All Hallows church…

Then, the first of the injured, including policemen and soldiers, start to be brought in, but the nurses and doctors on the day shift still can’t make sense of what the victims are talking about. Soon their resources begin to be overwhelmed.

Some of the injured begin to ‘change’ and soon the hospital, like so many other buildings throughout the city, is on lockdown. But as things grow increasingly chaotic outside, for those trapped within the old hospital building, both staff and patients, things quickly become infinitely worse as the dead return to life and stalk the corridors in search of flesh.”