“Concrete Jungle” by Brett McBean is a fast-paced short novel exposing the effects on five victims trapped inside a parking garage after an inexplicable attack by Nature. As the title suggests, full grown trees, labyrinthine vines, and even bodies of water crash into...

“Viking Dead” is the latest novel in a series of stand-alone novels “Tomes of the Dead” from Abaddon Books. The series explores the theme of the undead from various settings and time periods. This book is set in the Age of the Vikings—976 A.D., Northern Europe. Bjolf,...

“The Infection” by Craig DiLouie is one of the best novels I have read in a long time. Notice I did not simply say one of the best horror novels, though that is also true. This is great writing—relentless and unflinching--a gritty, realistic and appropriately gruesome...

“Dead Stay Dead” by Paul Jessup is an imaginative novella that mixes college kids, zombies, ghosts, a little Lovecraft Mythos and a whole lot of fun. It is part of a novella series from The Zombie Feed, and if this is typical of its quality, this looks to be a fine...

“Population Zero” by Wrath James White is a relentless, graphic and disturbing short novel of extreme horror. It is definitely not for the squeamish or easily disturbed or offended but it is very well written and breathlessly paced. It does not cross the line to being...

Cult favorite Edward Lee’s “The Haunter of the Threshold” is a sequel to H. P. Lovecraft’s “The Haunter of the Dark,” set in the modern day backwoods of New Hampshire. Lee brings back Lovecraft’s Shining Trapezohedron and this novel’s Gray Cottage is a contemporary...

“Whargoul” is the debut novel from Dave Brockie, better known as Oderus Urungus, lead singer of the shock metal band GWAR and I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, it is written very well, especially considering the challenge Brockie set out for himself....

“The Painted Darkness,” a novella from Brian James Freeman, is a stunning example of how a skilled writer can make just a few hours in a character’s life and leave readers spellbound. Henry is a painter specializing in the macabre. He had a frightening experience when...

“The Damned Busters” by Matthew Hughes is a hilarious and imaginative novel speculating on what might happen if Hell went on strike. As I began reading it I felt a sense of déjà-vu—soon I remembered Hughes published the first part of this as the novelette “Hell of a...

“Carnal Surgery” is a provocative new collection of eleven short stories from extreme horror writer Edward Lee. As is the case with most collections, some tales stand out more than others, but all of these are disturbing, thought-provoking and will haunt you for a...

“Baby’s First Book of Seriously Fucked-Up Shit” by Robert Devereaux is a mixed bag of short fiction. There are some standout tales that might have earned a higher star rating but overall it is a bit uneven. Devereaux’s in-your-face title lets you know up front he is...

“Nekropolis” carries the subtitle “A Matt Richter Novel,” so we know Tim Waggoner is planning to create a series involving the titular world and its zombie detective Richter. This is good to know, because the novel is packed with two books worth of characters, details...

The basic premise of Blake Crouch’s “Run” is very simple. For some unknown reason, millions of Americans have become homicidal maniacs. Names of those to be hunted down next are broadcast on the radio. Jack’s name is read. What other possible action can he take? He...

Blood Bound Books is a new publisher and their first four anthologies have all delivered solid dark fiction by talented new writers. This volume is an intense and diverse collection that takes the reader on a wild ride. Each story was somehow inspired by the lyrics of...

“The Book of a Thousand Sins” is, like many story collections, a mixed bag, ranging from a couple excellent stories to a few I found a complete waste of time. White wants to enlighten us with his extreme horror takes on God and religion and by the fifth of the fifteen...