The place the Fairly Issues Rot
Henry Snider
Polymath Press (October 13, 2025), 353 pgs.
Reviewed by Carson Buckingham
I first grew to become acquainted with Henry Snider once I was compiling and enhancing my one and solely anthology, The Better of the Horror Society 2013. As a matter of reality, the primary story in Henry’s assortment, “The Clown,” was the story of his that I chosen for my anthology. I used to be excited once I found that Henry had organized his works into a group, and understanding what an achieved author he’s, I couldn’t wait to learn it.
It doesn’t disappoint. Out of a group of sixteen tales, I had 9 favorites—9. Greater than half. The opposite seven are masterful, too, and chances are you’ll discover that you just desire them. All are fantastically written and properly value your time. This will probably be a kind of uncommon collections that can keep in your shelf and be re-read on occasion—they’re that good. They’re that unforgettable.
Right here’s what you get:
“The Clown” – An adolescent pursues and at last catches a monstrous little clown at a carnival. When she catches up with it, you can be hard-pressed to resolve who the monster actually is. My favourite #1.
“Sandcastles” – Newlyweds get caught in a haboob on their honeymoon journey, and within the aftermath, by the issues it left behind. The story harks again to historic Egypt, and also you’ll by no means take a look at the desert the identical approach once more. My favourite #2.
“Somebody to Watch Over Me” – Throughout Prohibition, a flapper meets a swell on the speakeasy, they usually go for a trip in his yellow convertible, in search of a parking spot. They each get greater than they bargained for—from one another!
“Style” – A disturbing story of two married drug addicts, who find yourself wishing that medicine have been their solely downside.
“Singed” – ‘Angel Night time’ was alleged to be a residents’ patrol to maintain Satan’s Night time fires from being set. It was ineffective, as town was burning. Firefighters enter a constructing, discovering bizarre tableaus, a bit woman and her canine, and a really unusual priest. An all-around enjoyable horror story. My favourite #3.
“Room Service” – A burglar turned killer stows away on a cruise peopled by the rich, who put to sea to flee COVID.
“Lunar Descent” – A well-done science fiction story happening on certainly one of Saturn’s moons. This can be a recent tackle a really previous trope.
“Songbird” – An imprisoned woman, a serial killer, and two disembodied voices—at first. Superbly illustrates “out of the frying pan, into the fireplace.”
“Fellowship” – A pair stranded in a creepy little city in Maine. You’d swear Stephen King wrote this one. My favourite #4.
“1865” – The Civil Conflict, Richmond burning, and a ghastly plantation.
“The Vessel” – Horror/erotica at its most interesting, involving a religion healer/prophet and the director of the tv present she is showing on. The ultimate present is one you don’t need to miss! Lovecraft can be proud. My favourite #5.
“Trophies” – Sheriff and Deputy are monitoring a serial killer, and it seems that they didn’t need to look very far. An edge-of-the-seat nail-biter! My favourite #6.
“A Homicide of Crows” – Paying homage to Alfred Hitchcock, this Tippi Hedren is a younger hitchhiker beset by a violent storm and an enormous homicide of crows. My favourite #7.
“The Misplaced” – I liked the surrealness of this story. A misplaced boy, a frantic mom, and a city that simply doesn’t appear to need to keep put. Good. My favourite #8.
“Skewed Perceptions” – An adept mixing of science fiction and horror, with monsters, the large unhealthy authorities, and a few gamer scientists. A white-knuckle trip. My favourite #9.
On the finish of the ebook, there’s a “sneak peek” preview of Mr. Snider’s subsequent ebook, a novel entitled Drive-In Characteristic. I by no means learn these as a result of I’m hoping to evaluate the novel when it’s launched, and I like to return to such books with none preconceived notions. However be at liberty should you get pleasure from that form of factor. I’ve little doubt that it’s as expertly written as the remainder of the gathering.
One of many many issues I like about this assortment is the flexibility of the writer. Mr. Snider handles science fiction in addition to he handles horror, historic items, and crime. Every story is a gem in its personal proper, extremely polished and magnificently set.
And that is his debut assortment.
Wow.
I can’t wait to learn the novel.
I urge you to select up a duplicate of The place the Fairly Issues Rot. It’s a keeper. And with Christmas coming, it might additionally make incredible items for these horror followers in your listing—or for anybody who enjoys a well-written story.
5 out of 5 stars.
About Carson Buckingham
Professionally, Carson Buckingham has made her approach in life doing all method of issues, most of which contain arson. She is at present employed as a contract author on a piece launch program. In her spare time, she research forensics, in hopes of making use of her new data to eluding the authorities extra successfully the following time.
She is initially from Connecticut, however now resides in Kentucky—and Connecticut is glad to be rid of her.
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