Book Review: HORROR LIBRARY, VOLUME 9

by | Feb 4, 2026 | Author News, Book Reviews, Reviews, The Horror Review News | 0 comments

Horror Library, Volume 9
Eric J. Guignard, ed.
Dark Moon Books (February 3, 2026)
Reviewed by Carson Buckingham

Horror Library, Volume 9 is a lovely anthology of dark horror with stories spanning the genre. This would be a great book to curl up with while riding out frigid, wintry weather…or extreme summer heat…or…oh, let’s face it, this is a great book to read anytime. Eric Guignard, anthologist extraordinaire, has done it again, with his adept story choices and beautiful layout. There are some big names in horror in this book, along with names that may not be as familiar…yet. Since there are 30 stories in this book, rather than mention each one of them, I shall highlight the ones I liked best.

“Afterimage” by R. E. Rule – When someone dies, an artifact or image shows up and must be disposed of by the ‘aftertaker.’ But when one aftertaker thinks too much about what he’s doing…well, let’s just say that it creates some unusual problems.

“Third Floor Windows” by LH Michael – Whoever heard of bars on second and third floor windows? Well, maybe they’re there for a good reason for them…

“The Second Candlestick” by Nigel Brown – A chilling story of a verger, a church, and two horrific candlesticks.

“False Witness” by Charlie Hughes – A slight Final Destination vibe, in that two kids escaped the death that was fated for them—but were they really saved? And could it be for a purpose worse than the death they escaped?

“Eyes Without Their Lids” by Jo Kaplan – People in a locked room without windows or doors do not remember how they got there.

“Before His Time” by Bentley Little – Dying actors saved and brought back by one of the greatest of them all—but there are consequences for this and changes that occur to those whose futures are all used up.

“The Luckiest Man” by Gina Easton – A paramedic thwarts a suicide attempt and comes to regret it—for the rest of his life.

“Accounting for Eternity” by Charles Wilkinson – Mr. Timmis’ tax returns are overdue, his accounting firm, which is suddenly unreachable, has been taken over by a different set of accountants, and the new group will only deal with clientele above the age of 70. Hmmm.

“In the Evening Red” by Brian Evenson – A concert in Prague takes a decidedly strange turn.

“Elizabeth By the Pea Patch” by J. Edward Gregal – A dystopian, extremely tightly-written story about a man’s pursuit of a monster—but not for the reasons you might think. This was my favorite story in the book. Brilliantly done.

“It Moves On” by Colin Leonard –  Something strange comes over the local park, and you don’t want to be in there after 9:00 PM.

“Dear Good, Kind Soul” by Delilah S. Dawson – A mother gives up her baby to a childless woman desperate for motherhood, but all is not what it seems. Great twist at the end!

“A Deeper Nothing” by Dexter McLeod – A hit man gets a new lease on life from some pretty disturbing clients.

“Headlights” by Mercedes M. Yardley – A woman with a life-long imaginary friend who will never…ever…leave her.

“I Send You a Kiss” by Rex Burrows – A diner owner in a tiny, nowhere town gets some new neighbors who inherit a house with a legendary pumpkin patch. They don’t know a thing about pumpkins, but are about to find out.

“Absolute Power” by Henry Herz – A newspaperwoman meets a whistleblower and uncovers a momentous evil that a sinister auto manufacturer is trying to hide…by any means necessary.

“Merlin’s Vicious Trick” by Trevor James Zaple – An old tack shop in a dying town is remodeled into a brand-new movie theater practically overnight. Great revenge story.

And there is a bonus section that follows the stories with horror artwork by Michael A. Livolsi. Skillfully, imaginatively done and worth a look.

All in all, this is a book you’ll want in your horror library.  It is scary, while at the same time, thought-provoking, and because of that, the stories will stay with you long after you close the book. Horror Library, Volume 9 is unforgettable.

5 out of 5 stars.

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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