NEED A TIMLESS SHORT HORROR COLLECTION THAT’S PERFECT FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR? THEN GET YOURSELF A COPY OF “BURNED MAN AT NIGHT” BY JOHN S. McFARLAND!

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BURNED MAN AT NIGHT
John S. McFarland
JournalStone (10/24/2025)
Reviewed by Brian James Lewis

Hello there, Horror Fans! Are you ready to take a trip back in time? If so, Burned Man At Night-Pensive Horrors by John S. McFarland is your ticket to that ride. Even though this collection of short horror stories was published recently by JournalStone Press, readers will swear that an archeologist delivered this manuscript to the editors. This is McFarland’s territory where people walk and use dogsleds as major modes of transportation, their talk more familiar to that of a century ago than our silly modern-day slang that seems quite senseless in comparison. It is also not a place for the faint of heart. So, tighten up your belt, pilgrim, we’re going in!

Case in point, the collection’s first tale Seeping Towards Gehenna is set in 1342. Plague, death, and desolation are running wild across the land but that doesn’t seem to bother our nameless narrator. He is in relatively good spirits as he goes about the tricky job of earning a living, which he does in his own twisted way. Along the road he meets a young dispassionate soul who joins him in his pursuits and speaks with wisdom beyond his years. As their options narrow, it becomes clear that the narrator and his friend must make some serious choices. Will two heads be better than one?

Speaking of the Devil, another excellent tale by McFarland, Oriax of Hell shares with us the plight of a man sewn together after a serious accident, the questionable surgeon using spare parts from other bodies, and naming his creation Oriax, a powerful demon in Hell. The plan is revenge against another doctor in the area, but Oriax is unable to do the evil deed and soon finds himself alone. Finally taken in by some suspiciously “divine gentlemen” as a sideshow attraction to raise money for their church, the scary looking monster goes along with their plan in exchange for food and housing. But the longer he lives, the more Oriax’s brain develops until he sees clearly that evil exists regardless of a person’s title or the flowery words of a sermon. He’s unsure what to do about it until two victims of the church, the only people who have been truly kind to Oriax of Hell, ask for his help.

Burned Man at Night is also a story of good vs evil. This time peaceful Hungarian immigrants dealing with basically white trash hillbillies who consider themselves to be above the basic laws of human decency. The Farrens are an especially vile example who have guns that they enjoy showing off to Ambrus and his granddaughter while hunting game too close to the property line. Basically, redneck intimidation tactics. Ambrus stays peaceful, refusing to engage in their foolishness and quietly continues to practice Hungarian witchcraft until the day he sends his granddaughter on an errand that she never returns from. All clues point directly to the Farren brothers, but legal justice is evasive. Fortunately, The Burned Man knows of Ambrus’ plight and arrives to help in ways unavailable to a mere mortal. Sacred beliefs and quiet knowledge are stronger than loudmouths with guns.

This reviewer gives Burned Man At Night by John S. McFarland Four Stars out of 5! I really appreciated the variety of the collection, solidly defined characters, and the lessons offered by each tale. They were quite vivid and spellbinding, once I was able to get into the book. Big thanks to the introduction by Frank Duffy which hipped me to the fact that many of these stories occur in St. Odile, Missourri a fictional town that McFarland created and has used as the setting for previous work. Once I had that home base as the reason for some characters reappearing in multiple stories, things made more sense. Although one character that dies in an earlier tale, reappears later to engage in some grotesque medical experiments. This collection also confirmed why some nonfictional people consider Missourri and “misery” to be the same thing. If you’re already a fan of John S. McFarland’s work, you will love this. If you’re a newbie, like I was, know that it is well worth the time to acclimate oneself to St. Odile.

JournalStone Press has many fantastic titles available and I highly encourage you to check them out at: www.journalstone.com or seek out their books at your favorite bookseller

John S. McFarland is the author and artist of multiple works who is highly regarded by big name authors such as Ramsey Campbell and Philip Fracassi. You can find out more about him and listen to his stories at: www.jsmcfarlandauthor.com He is also easy to find on Facebook.

About your reviewer

Brian James Lewis/Your old pal Skull is a disabled writer, poet, and book reviewer with PTSD whose work has appeared in Trajectory Journal, Mythic Picnic, The Awakenings Review, and multiple horror anthologies. Please visit him at: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com, X/Twitter @skullsnflames76, or https://facebook.com/DamagedSkullWriterandReviewer

Thanks for taking the time to read this review and support independent horror. See you soon!

CURRENTLY READING CORAX HOUSE RECENT RELEASE “THIS IS THE TABLE WHERE WE WASH OUR DEAD” BY K.H. VAUGHAN AND IT IS AWESOME!

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Hello all you fans of Horror, Speculative, and Weird Fiction! It’s your old pal Skull back on the job after dealing with some family health crises and my own bones that are doing their damnedest to fall apart. The good news is that while that was happening, I also received this ARC from K.H. Vaughan himself and have very much enjoyed the stories I’ve read so far in this excellent collection. This Is The Table Where We Wash Our Dead leans strongly into the weird, with some stories popping in and out of reality while others present a unique and sometimes horrifying view of things that appear bland and silent from the outside. I’ll be working on a more detailed review soon. Meanwhile, I highly encourage readers to check out this collection of weird tales at your favorite bookseller. It’s definitely getting FIVE STARS from your old pal Skull. See you soon, and remember, keep reading independent horror!

“SHOW ME WHERE IT HURTS” BY ROBERT E. STAHL IS A MUST READ COLLECTION OF SHORT HORROR STORIES THAT IS JAM PACKED WITH SURPRISES

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SHOW ME WHERE IT HURTS
Robert E. Stahl
JournalStone (2025)
Reviewed by Brian “Skull” Lewis

Hello Horror Fans! I hope you’re all in the mood for some good news, because all I have is praise for Robert E. Stahl’s debut collection of short horror and dark poetry, Show Me Where It Hurts. If you’re in a hurry and want to save time then just bop on over to your favorite bookseller and order a copy of this book, pronto! If you’ve got a few minutes and want to get a better idea of what’s inside that terrifying cover, please continue reading. Most of these stories are brief and read fast but deliver a punch harder than Mike Tyson in his prime. The damage lingering in your brain long after you’ve been rocked. Kind of like a crazy ex or that creepy person at work who is always in the bathroom no matter what time it is. What the hell is that about anyway? Let’s get out there and into Show Me Where It Hurts.

Ghosts On Drugs is an interesting and terrifying ride where the reader becomes the protagonist in a twisted ether dream. The damn ghosts in your apartment keep trashing the place and your life! Unable to sleep, life becomes a surreal fog where everything loses importance. Job? Gone. Love? We used to have a thing. There’s a crossroads ahead and decisions to make. Will you choose wisely?

Speaking of work, Evil Inc. is about a guy who works in middle management for a huge company. Lately work has been even more sucky than usual with his highly eccentric bosses demeaning him and forcing him to do nonexecutive jobs like plunging out a clogged toilet. There’s also a secret door that they often disappear behind for long periods of time, having fun while Brian runs the company in their absence. He becomes an exhausted shell with zero self-esteem until an unexpected event triggers some changes in him. Big, scary changes…

While many of the characters in Stahl’s stories undergo a lot of changes, the “main brain” in A Very Stable Zombie does not. However, that seems to be what his fans like about him. Loud, wrong, inappropriate to the max, and somehow…president. I dug this clever piece of writing about a zombie who most readers with brains will recognize as a person whose last name rhymes with grump. There are definitely chuckles to be had, but they’re tempered by the cold chills of reality and the complete lack of humanity that no one seems to be willing or able to stop.

One of my favorite stories in this collection is The Last Night at The Black Boar Tavern. What a total wow! A mythic and terrifying tale of what could have been a boring snooze of a job morphing into something bigger and way cooler than its narrator ever imagined. When Jack Rollins zooms up to The Black Boar Tavern on his Harley to fill an open bartender position, he does so in a tight black t-shirt with his chest out and a pair of muscular arms popping with tattoos. The dusty old bar turns into a pot of gold overnight. Jack’s powerful charisma and deep knowledge of bartending impress 22-year-old Peter Ennis who is a self-described failure at life. Suddenly he goes from barback to a bartender struggling to keep up with Jack who nicknames him “Slim”. Coolness has arrived! Except there are a few conditions to the bargain including being sworn into Satan’s service. But hell, the money’s good and life is amazing! So amazing that it’s impossible to see how close the end of the road is. Arriving in a ball of fire, The Last Night At The Black Boar Tavern is one that nobody is likely to forget.

So, what’s the rating for this crazy cool short story collection? Show Me Where It Hurts by Robert E. Stahl gets a hearty 5 STARS from Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer and a place of honor on the Skull Cave’s “Wall of Fame! Stahl’s fantastic writing pulls you deep into his stories, the variety of which is amazingly wide. The quick pace keeps you engaged and turning pages to read “just one more”. Highly recommended. Buy it, you won’t be disappointed.

While this is Stahl’s debut short horror collection, he’s a seasoned novelist with quite a few titles to his name. To find out more about this awesome author and his other works, head on over to: www.robertestahl.com You can also check in with Robert on “all the socials” as he puts it.  

JournalStone Press is an established independent press with many excellent titles available for your reading pleasure. Be sure to check them out at: www.journalstone.com

Thanks for visiting your old pal Skull again! I hope you enjoyed today’s review subject. If so, please share and give these independent writers and presses a hand. See you soon!

About your reviewer

Brian James Lewis/Your old pal Skull is a disabled writer, poet, and book reviewer with PTSD whose work has appeared in Trajectory Journal, Mythic Picnic, The Awakenings Review, and multiple horror anthologies. Please visit him at: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com, X/Twitter @skullsnflames76, or https://facebook.com/DamagedSkullWriterandReviewer

IF YOU WANT A READING EXPERIENCE THAT’LL KEEP YOU ENGAGED FOR THE ENTIRE BOOK, I RECOMMEND “DARK ROOTS” BY SHELDON HIGDON! PLOT TWISTS, MURDER, AND MAYHEM ABOUND

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Book Review: DARK ROOTS

by Brian James Lewis | Apr 25, 2026 | Book Reviews, Hellnotes Reviews, Horror Authors / Books, Horror Movies, Horror News, Publisher News | 0 comments

DARK ROOTS
Sheldon Higdon
JournalStone Publishing (November 14, 2025)
Reviewed by Brian James Lewis

Hello, Horror Fans! Today’s review subject is Dark Roots by Sheldon Higdon; a powerful combination of constantly twisting mystery and chilling horror that holds readers in its werewolf fangs and never lets go. Never.

Ben is a college professor who’s got a lot going on in his life. Some things are good, like his beautiful girlfriend Aisha who really wants him to put a ring on it. Other things are downright terrible, like the shocking death of his father who suddenly commits suicide at 83 after popping by Ben’s apartment for dinner. Sure, he was getting older, but left in a good mood with muscles that a man half his age would’ve been happy to have, so what the hell?

This leads to Ben tearfully driving back to his dad’s farm at 2 a.m. to meet up with his Uncle George, who lives just down the road from his dad. He gives Ben the keys to his dad’s place and surprisingly, an offer to take it off his hands. What’s a city boy need with a farm anyway? Might be best…George has the money and Ben agrees to think about it. But he wants to check out the old homeplace and reconnect with his roots before making any major decisions.

Turns out that it might’ve been easier to just take the money and run. As Ben pokes around the old house and barn, ghosts start talking to him. Correction: they start screaming at him. While that’s creepy and unsettling, the weird part is that Ben feels like he’s heard their words before. But how could that be? He hasn’t lived there or even visited for a long time and his childhood memories are vague at best. The one thing he does recall is a lot of negative energy, which is why Ben relocated his life elsewhere.

Things progress to downright terrifying when Ben discovers a hidden trapdoor in the barn and finds a bunch of dead bodies stacked up inside. Yikes! Not only that, but a search of his dad’s house reveals most of their identities and why they’re on his father’s farm. None of the information is good, especially the discovery of what Dad’s baseball card collection really is. Ben is horrified and disgusted by his findings. His dad was a salt of the earth, working the land, and repairing things when they broke kind of guy whose only pleasure in life was collecting baseball cards. Well, at least that’s what most people in their small town thought. What the hell is all this other shit? Everything sends Ben’s mind and body reeling until he’s teetering on the brink of sanity.

So Ben does what most people would do, he calls the cops. Except that out in the middle of nowhere, he doesn’t get a whole team of forensics experts; there’s just the sheriff and his not particularly bright deputy. Great. While they poke around and try to make sense of things, Ben calls his girlfriend, hoping for a sympathetic ear and some good vibes to balance out all the badness. Instead, he ends up trying to comfort her. Darren, her son and the light of her life, has been kidnapped.

From here, the book, which was already perking right along, picks up speed. The horrible discoveries continue while Ben and Aisha try to figure things out with both the country police and some detectives from the city who are also trying to rescue Darren. As the heat builds, masks start to slip until the line between good and bad becomes invisible. Everything becomes a question instead of a fact. Did Ben’s dad actually kill himself, or did he have unwanted help? Why is Uncle George so interested in keeping his brother’s farm? Why doesn’t Ben remember his mom, and why did she leave them? How can he and Aisha get Darren back? A standoff situation develops at the farm, pushing Ben past his breaking point. He responds by taking matters into his own hands with some very permanent solutions. Will his gamble work, or is he too late? Available at your favorite bookseller now!

I rate Dark Roots a serious 5 Stars. JournalStone and author Sheldon Higdon have once again delivered a real gripper of a novel with more twists in it than a spiral staircase. Highly recommended! The whodunnit part of Dark Roots is powerful and will keep you turning pages until the wee hours of the morning, and it’s entirely worth it. I lost count of how many times I “figured everything out” and knew exactly who the bad guy was. “Wrong again, Watson!” Well played, Higdon! Dark Roots is a book that never lets up, not even at the end. It has teeth and they are very sharp.

Trigger warning: This book contains scenes of child abduction and violence that might be upsetting to some readers. The author does a great job of keeping anything graphic minimal, using a few brief scenes to establish an undercurrent of evil that drives the story forward. Being a person with PTSD, I just wanted to give readers a heads up so they’re not surprised.

Thank you for taking a few minutes check out this review and your interest in independent horror writers and publishers!

For more information about Sheldon Higdon and his other books, head on over to: www.sheldonhigdon.com

For more information about JournalStone Publishing and their many, many awesome releases, please visit their website: www.journalstone.com

For more information about Brian James Lewis, pop on over to his website: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com

PROUD TO HAVE MY MENTAL HEALTH POETRY IN THE AWAKENINGS REVIEW-A PLACE OF HOPE, UNDERSTANDING AND NEW BEGINNINGS

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Happy National Poetry Month everybody! To celebrate, I’d like to share a few of my poems that were published in THE AWAKENINGS REVIEW,a cool publication that features the work of poets, writers, and artists living with mental illness or having a firsthand connection to it. Many of you know that I deal with chronic pain, PTSD, and was recently diagnosed with ADHD. Writing, especially poetry, is one of the ways I deal with those issues. It helps me breathe and express myself without creating more damage.

While I’d already written a lot of poems about my situation, THE AWAKENINGS REVIEW prefers work that shows personal growth and the writer moving forward with their lives. This can be subtle, because in real life that is often what recovery looks like. Chronic mental health issues never just disappear. They’re not colds or indigestion. Our brains are way too complicated and oddly smart for easy solutions. Even when we’re able to make improvements, there are triggers that can set us off seemingly out of nowhere.

That doesn’t mean we should ever stop trying to improve our lives and I got an opportunity to do that when I was finally approved for spinal surgery last year. Over a decade of broken, dislocated, and degenerating vertebrae had kept me prisoner, stealing my physical life at what should’ve been my peak. Instead, I ended up in a wheelchair and became a twisted factory of rage, hate, and self-loathing. My body was constantly screaming in pain, so I took a lot of medication in hopes of feeling better. But it mostly brought a slew of side effects that really messed me up.

These poems were written after the surgery. “Cracks” was written shortly after coming home from the hospital, while “Hole” was written about 9 months later. I’d graduated from physical therapy and the cheerful bi-weekly sessions were over. Nothing was being required of me, so I slowly stopped doing what I was supposed to. Remember how I said the brain is a sneaky saboteur, ready to hijack our bodies when we’re not paying attention? Bingo!

I went back to eating crap food, not doing much, and even stopped writing. Even though it’s been kind of upsetting, I’m lucky to have healthcare people who told me I was going down the wrong road. Our brains try to trip us up, “hey you don’t want to do this, it’s gonna hurt. Just sit back down on the couch and eat some more garbage.” Nope, fuck that voice and mindset. I’m not going down without a fight, and I hope that reading these poems helps you take a similar approach. Living a decent life is a lot like marriage: it takes significant amount of effort, but the results are worth it. There’s no big red “That was easy!” button to fix everything instantly, but once you make it a little way up out of that hole you’re stuck in, you’ll feel something you haven’t enjoyed for. a while. You’ll be proud of yourself.

Thanks for taking a few minutes to check this out! If you’d like to submit your own work to THE AWAKENINGS REVIEW, or support their work by ordering a copy, head on over to: www.AwakeningsProject.org   to check them out.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A FAST AND FURIOUSLY TERRIFYING READ, SCARLETT R. ALGEE’S NOVELLA “AND CAST IT FROM YOU” IS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED. JUST STAY OUT OF THE SHED!

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And Cast It From You
Scarlett R. Algee
Cold War Radio Press (October 1, 2024)
Reviewed by Brian James Lewis

Ever heard the saying, “small but mighty”? It usually refers to someone or something who may not appear to be much of a threat, but when they get going, look out! The something in this case is Scarlett R. Algee’s novella And Cast It From You. Not only does the book appear deceptively brief, but the evil inside waiting for readers is tiny and not the sort of thing that strikes fear into the hearts of anyone except maybe neat freaks. Intrigued? Then let’s check it out!

Our narrator, Kris Winters, has inherited her late grandmother’s house—a place full of fond memories, country goodness, and love. Not too many people can say that about their first home! Everything is great, except for one small problem: the shed is NOT fine.” Readers will soon discover just how much of an understatement that is.

Even so, how dangerous could a small shed full of odds and ends be? I mean, sure, there’s two decades worth of heavy yellow dust on everything, which certainly could be a hazard to a person with allergies. Kris doesn’t say she has a history of allergies and seems unconcerned when she approaches the clean up job, but something in that shed turns what should be a joyful experience into relentless creeping horror that makes you want to scream. Alone in the middle of nowhere with her options narrowing fast, Kris has to make an emergency decision and stop the misery while she still can. Or is she already too late?

Wow! This reviewer gives And Cast It From You by Scarlett R. Algee a hearty 5 Star Rating! At the time of this review, this excellent novella is available on Amazon Kindle for just $2.99 (sale price) or as a paperback for $6.95. A true case of small but mighty, this story will stay stuck in your head long after you read it. Big monsters may be loud and scary, but it’s the tiny ones that’ll take you down and drive you mad while doing it. So, if you happen to be house hunting, just tell your realtor to take any houses with small rustic sheds out back right off your viewing list. Better safe than sorry!

Scarlett R. Algee’s work has appeared in many places, including Bards and Sages Quarterly, Body Parts Magazine, and The Wicked Library. She’s also the author of Bleedthrough and Other Small Horrors. You can find Scarlett on Reddit as u/Cold_War_Radio Thanks for stopping by and keep reading independent horror

Brian James Lewis is a disabled writer, poet, and book reviewer with PTSD whose work has appeared in Trajectory Journal, Mythic Picnic, The Awakenings Review, and multiple horror anthologies. Please visit him at: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com, X/Twitter @skullsnflames76, or https://facebook.com/DamagedSkullWriterandReviewer

Thanks for stopping by and remember: keep reading independent horror!

IF YOUR IDEA OF HAPPY HOLIDAYS INCLUDES READING SOME GOOD HORROR STORIES, “THE RACK II” DELIVERS!

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Book Review: THE RACK II

by Brian James Lewis | Dec 22, 2025 | Book Reviews, Hellnotes Reviews, Horror Authors / Books, Horror News | 0 comments

THE RACK II: More Stories Inspired By Vintage Paperbacks
Tom Deady, ed.
Greymore Publishing (October 14, 2025)
Reviewed by Brian James Lewis

Hello horror fans! I’ve got a special treat to talk about this week: The Rack II is a smoking cool anthology of short horror stories inspired by the vintage horror and mystery paperbacks of the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. These were the books that appeared on creaky, wobbling racks everywhere from gas stations to airport gift shops. You’d just be minding your own business when: “Whoa! Is that a giant snake exploding out of that guy’s chest?” They were luridly colored, terrifying, and sometimes pretty dang sexy. Pulling you in, making you want to take them home and soak in every word. The main thing is that these books were our gateway drug, what pulled us in the direction of wanting to be writers ourselves. We wanted to make somebody shiver under the blankets and not want to leave their bed because something might be hiding in the dark, just waiting for a nice, tasty foot…

Some younger writers today are bummed that they missed those predigital times, that first nibble delivered to their eyes by whispering paper that sometimes smelled a little bit funky as that barbed hook penetrated their flesh. Fortunately, Tom Deady and a crew of really cool writers, along with ace artist Lynne Hansen, put together The Rack, which is a true monster of a book. A Whitman’s sampler of short horror (minus the gross downer flavors) that gave readers that same tug and reeled them into our world. The stories were vintage inspired but stepped away from inappropriate stereotypes, cut the racism and sexism and just kicked ass. If you have not yet read The Rack, I encourage you to treat yourself to a good time and get it.

I was a firm believer that nobody was going to top that great work until I got a review copy of The Rack II. Introduction by Mother Horror herself, Sadie Hartman, a great poem by Maxwell I. Gold to kick things off, and more stellar stories by the creepy crew of stalwarts, including Lee Murray, Christa Carmen, and Larry Hinkle, along with all-star contributors like Joe R. Lansdale, Jonathan Maberry, and Poppy Z. Brite. Basically a shit ton of great writers with the aim of terrifying readers. Holy Hades, Batman, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore! Let’s go take a look at what we’re in for…

The Laffin’ Man by Poppy Z. Brite is about a peculiar 70’s and 80’s item that was hung on the wall of many a bar and pizza shop. The one I was familiar with spit water on you when you pulled his tie and then laughed with a voice that’s best described as a “demented old man doing creepy things behind a tall shelf in a porn shop”. The characters in Brite’s story meet a whole wall full of these creepy freaks at a shopping mall tobacco shop and one of them falls in love, most likely because his teenaged life is so devoid of happiness. The narrator is repulsed. Something about these battery-operated novelties is very unsettling, almost as if they’re the harbingers of evil. But he likes seeing his friend happy and buys a Laffin’ Man for him. It’s just a toy, right? Right?

Lee Murray’s story The Mall also uses a similar backdrop of the huge indoor retail acreage with restaurants and a movie theater for her slow-building tale of terror. This one takes a more adult angle of infidelity in a marriage that’s having dire consequences on the one person who’s not guilty of anything. He’s just a kid named Matty with a broken arm caused by his father’s attention to anything female. But today, Dad promised to behave himself so that Mom can do some covert Christmas shopping. I wonder if he’ll be able to hold up his end of the deal?

Christa Carmen always brings her A game, and her story Comeback Kid is no exception. Nan is an Olympic level gymnast who is planning to be a trainer. Unfortunately, to do so, she must work with her former trainers, and things get weird fast. Why are they working her out so hard if she’s just going to be a coach? Who is the other gymnast working in a hidden gym? A lot of unsettling things are often swept under the rug in professional sports, with the victims shoved off into obscurity. This time there’s a lot more at stake than winning a piece of metal to strap around one’s neck.

Greed motivates a lot of people, and Chandler Pratt is no exception. A college professor who marries the daughter of a very rich man in effort to gain his riches, Pratt despises his wife and considers her gross and unattractive. But when you’re a Head Hunter you do what needs to be done until you get what you want. B.D. Prince gives us a great story that juxtaposes horror with humor. An exploding cigar, the father-in-law’s hatred of Pratt’s manbun, and the younger man’s plan that’s hatched in a shop full of dark magic antiques. He practically has the front door key in his pocket when he arrives back at the mansion with a perfect birthday gift for the cranky old bird. What could possibly go wrong?

Joe R. Lansdale stays with the quiet, suspenseful feel of The Rack II with his contribution By the Hair of the Head, which draws readers in dangerously close. A young writer, fresh from college, takes unique lodging in an old lighthouse still inhabited by its keeper even though its time of use has passed. Initially things seem almost idyllic, but as time passes the young writer begins having vivid nightmares. Some nights after too many brandies the lighthouse keeper tells intriguing tales that include a beautiful witch, a magician, and a daughter. But when our narrator asks pointed questions, the lighthouse keeper clams up. What is the old fellow trying to hide? Why doesn’t the lighthouse feel like a safe haven anymore? All will be revealed in time and the answer is as plain as The Hair of the Head.

You’ve probably already guessed, but my rating of The Rack II is a hearty 5 STARS! Every single story inside is fantastic, and I would have loved to cover each of them in great detail, but my goal here is to give you a review that sharpens your appetite and doesn’t flog all the fun into the ground. There is so much more to explore for yourself, such as creepy houses that call your name, a virtual pet that may have a strong connection to the real world, and one day finding out that your marriage is over because of ancient codes your partner must follow, or else. Go on now, take a walk down that dark hallway, so that YOU can enjoy the thrill of being hooked!

Want more information about both editions of The Rack (I seriously encourage you to buy both, because they really are that good) and Stoker Award winning author Tom Deady? Then head on over to https://www.tomdeady.com/ or find him over on Facebook at https://facebook.com/tomdeady.

Interested in getting some awesome artwork or a cool cover for your upcoming release? Then get in touch with Lynne Hansen at www.LynneHansenArt.com.

About Brian James Lewis

Brian James Lewis is a disabled writer and poet with PTSD whose work has recently appeared in Mythic Picnic, The Awakenings Review, and in multiple horror anthologies. Please visit him at: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com, X/Twitter @skullsnflames76, or https://facebook.com/DamagedSkullWriterandReviewer He has been reviewing books for Hellnotes since 2016.