13 Ghastly Tales
B.D. Prince
Ghastly Press (October 7, 2025), 313 pgs.
Reviewed by Carson Buckingham
One of many issues I like about 13 Ghastly Tales is the flexibility. On this e-book, we have now sci-fi, horror, paranormal, Native American mythos, and serial killer tales—there’s something for everybody. I at all times be taught one thing new when studying B. D. Prince’s work, as his analysis is impeccable.
You’ll uncover, upon studying this e-book, that Mr. Prince is an aficionado of carnivals, circuses, and the freaks that used to inhabit them. I’m the identical, so this e-book was a pure delight for me. The tales of those social outcasts are written with pathos, dignity, and only a soupçon of evil. Ray Bradbury would have permitted.
So, hurry, hurry, hurry! The present’s about to start!
My favorites first:
“The Final Drive-In Film” — A tragic and candy sci-fi story about an aged couple reenacting their first date earlier than the Drive-In is demolished—however not in the best way everybody expects.
“Rattle and Sway” — A younger man desires to be a circus performer so badly that he’ll do absolutely anything…
“Into the Shadows” — A household strikes right into a haunted home and discovers that there’s something within the attic, however not at all times the identical one thing.
“Jaadu” — Watch out for the sideshow cow with limbs that promise what you need however ship it in methods you don’t. Paying homage to W. W. Jacobs’ “The Monkey’s Paw.”
“Feetus” — A bit lady brings one thing horrid again from the carnival inside a balloon.
“Outcast” — A narrative that manages to be heart-rending and ghastly on the identical time, involving the cruelty of youngsters when there’s a child who simply doesn’t slot in. You’ll be hard-pressed to determine who the monster is right here.
“Scorching Field” — This story of a tragic prepare wreck had me on the sting of my seat, proper to the tip. The pacing was good.
The opposite, equally well-written tales are right here:
“Mighty Bear” — A horrific coming-of-age story about who ought to lead the tribe after the Chief dies.
“Will Work 4 Meals” — A nasty outdated man will get what he deserves when he intends to cheat a vagrant in search of work.
“Chanel No. 1” — It’s a matter of life or demise that this buyer finds a selected fragrance.
“Witness” — A serial killer is at giant whose newest sufferer isn’t fairly as helpless as he thought.
“I Am the One” — A typical campfire story, with the identical scary punch, a couple of boy and a very deep properly.
“Wiggle Room” — A person in love with a neighborhood waitress, however too shy to inform her, brings her recent produce from his backyard and nightcrawlers for her father as acts of affection. She stops by his vegetable stand, and he exhibits her his worm mattress, the place one thing grotesque involves the floor.
B.D. Prince has a means of constructing his writing approachable, in that his prose has a really open, simple, and welcoming fashion. He doesn’t overload with info dumps (a pet peeve of mine), however moderately provides the readers with precisely what they should know and no extra. If it doesn’t advance the story, it isn’t included. It’s this economic system of writing, his creativeness, and his exemplary capacity as a storyteller that make this creator one to observe… he’s certainly going locations.
5 out of 5 stars. Christmas is coming, and I can’t consider a greater present than this
About Carson Buckingham
Professionally, Carson Buckingham has made her means in life doing all method of issues, most of which contain arson. She is presently 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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