Book Review: 13 GHASTLY TALES

by | Oct 7, 2025 | Book Reviews, Reviews, The Horror Review News | 0 comments

13 Ghastly Tales
B.D. Prince
Ghastly Press (October 7, 2025), 313 pgs.
Reviewed by Carson Buckingham

One of the things I love about 13 Ghastly Tales is the versatility. In this book, we have sci-fi, horror, paranormal, Native American mythos, and serial killer stories—there is something for everyone. I always learn something new when reading B. D. Prince’s work, as his research is impeccable.

You will discover, upon reading this book, that Mr. Prince is an aficionado of carnivals, circuses, and the freaks that used to inhabit them. I am the same, so this book was a pure delight for me. The stories of these social outcasts are written with pathos, dignity, and just a soupçon of evil. Ray Bradbury would have approved.

So, hurry, hurry, hurry! The show’s about to begin!

My favorites first:

“The Last Drive-In Movie” — A sad and sweet sci-fi tale about an elderly couple reenacting their first date before the Drive-In is demolished—but not in the way everyone expects.

“Rattle and Sway” — A young man wants to be a circus performer so badly that he’ll do just about anything…

“Into the Shadows” — A family moves into a haunted house and discovers that there is something in the attic, but not always the same something.

“Jaadu” — Beware of the sideshow cow with limbs that promise what you want but deliver it in ways you don’t. Reminiscent of W. W. Jacobs’ “The Monkey’s Paw.”

“Feetus” — A little girl brings something horrid back from the carnival inside a balloon.

“Outcast” — A story that manages to be heart-rending and ghastly at the same time, involving the cruelty of children when there is a kid who just doesn’t fit in. You’ll be hard-pressed to decide who the monster is here.

“Hot Box” — This story of a tragic train wreck had me on the edge of my seat, right to the end. The pacing was brilliant.

The other, equally well-written stories are here:

“Mighty Bear” — A horrific coming-of-age story about who should lead the tribe after the Chief dies.

“Will Work 4 Food” — A nasty old man gets what he deserves when he intends to cheat a vagrant looking for work.

“Chanel No. 1” — It’s a matter of life or death that this customer finds a specific perfume.

“Witness” — A serial killer is at large whose latest victim isn’t quite as helpless as he thought.

“I Am the One” — A typical campfire story, with the same scary punch, about a boy and a very deep well.

“Wiggle Room” — A man in love with a local waitress, but too shy to tell her, brings her fresh produce from his garden and nightcrawlers for her father as acts of affection. She stops by his vegetable stand, and he shows her his worm bed, where something gruesome comes to the surface.

B.D. Prince has a way of making his writing approachable, in that his prose has a very open, easy, and inviting style. He doesn’t overload with information dumps (a pet peeve of mine), but rather supplies the readers with exactly what they need to know and no more. If it doesn’t advance the story, it isn’t included. It is this economy of writing, his imagination, and his exemplary ability as a storyteller that make this author one to watch… he is surely going places.

5 out of 5 stars.  Christmas is coming, and I can’t think of a better gift than this

About Carson Buckingham

Professionally, Carson Buckingham has made her way in life doing all manner of things, most of which involve arson. She is currently employed as a freelance writer on a work release program. In her spare time, she studies forensics, in hopes of applying her new knowledge to eluding the authorities more effectively the next time. She is originally from Connecticut, but now resides in Kentucky—and Connecticut is glad to be rid of her.

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