I really enjoyed all the author comments at the end but feel that stories could have been enhanced a little by their inclusion at the start of each story rather than the end.
Some of the tales were inspired in their ability to give me the heebie-jeebies and the MB is very talented in his skill to describe and direct you, however stating the obvious about some things, instead of allowing intelligence and imagination to take over was a little irritating!
I was also curious as to the American slant to things when MB is a brilliant British author.
Some nice little links to each story like a subtle thread that runs through them.
Mr.
Ghoul’s Quaint Little Ghost Train: almost gave too much
away not allowing for my own imagination, that said with all the horrors and
mistakes in my life not sure I want to ride this train. Very spooky!
99.9AM:
funny how a description of a hifi system can
throw you back to your teenage years. Clever and creepy story but I did find
the back and forth dialogue annoying. The ending was great, not expected.
The
Eye: well that’s me not going to the toilet alone
for a long time! MY favourite!
Scarecrows:
I
loved the non-movie honesty! You could sort of feel this story coming but its
got some interesting twists and turns, for me it was a little long winded and
took some of the bite out.
H
_ ng _ _ n: an intriguing game, unusual ending but I
was more enthralled trying to guess the word than engaged with the characters.
The
Boy Who Saw Spiders: as spiders are not my favourite thing
this had its own terror, but I didn’t see the point of the story other than to
totally freak us arachnaphobs out!
The
Man in the Alley: nothing gory or horror laden in this
little tale but it did leave me with a shiver up my spine.
Sick
Day: oh no, I wanted more!! Why,why, why? This was
starting to become a really good story and then it stopped. Argh
Jasper:
this
left me feeling very sad and now a bit spooked by crows. The scene setting was
very atmospheric and really added to the heart racing pace.
Tilly:
Chucky has nothing on this little lady, I knew I didn’t like
dollies, talk about giving you the heebie-jeebies!
Long
Tall Coffin: I loved this story, but then I believe
in Karma in all its forms! This was the first story that what was unsaid was
more scary than spelled out.
50/50:
tenter
hooks, that was what I was left on! Brilliant suspense filled writing, took you
right to the edge and then….
Cabin
Fever: such beautiful descriptions of the country, I could
almost feel the suns warmth and smell the fresh air. Unfortunately this wonderfully detailed prose
carried on into the gore and torture. The fear in the old man as he tells his
story is very evident and gave me a sense of foreboding. On a
down point some of the time line is a bit askew IMO.
The
Langton Effect: OCD to the extreme, very freaky, left me
feeling a little on edge.
The
Trial of Edwyn Greer: wow, I was gripped and intrigued in
the first few sentences. A courtroom drama with an edge. Some pondering
thoughts too, a well thought out little story that is not so short.
Candyland:
Small
towns and their strange folk, although this one certainly gave me the shudders,
not so much the story as the ending paragraph.
