The Face of Pain Tim Waggoner Lefthand Path Press (December 8, 2025) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham The Face of Pain is the weirdest book of Tim Waggoner’s that I’ve read so far, and I mean that in the absolute best possible way. The depth of imagination that was poured into this short volume was astounding, not to mention chilling. It is a nightmare come true, and you will not be able to put the book down…at least, I couldn’t.

WE’LL ALWAYS BE HERE: An Anthology of LGBTQ+ Horror Edited by James G. Carlson Gloom House Publishing (June 11, 2025) Reviewed by Brian James Lewis Hello again, horror fans! I’ve been reading Gloom House’s third LGBTQ+ horror anthology for charity and all I can say is WOW! So many great writers contributed to this noble cause, including Rebecca Rowland, Leo X Robertson, Michael R.

Kolchak Eras James Aquilone, ed. Monstrous Books (January 27, 2026) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham As a big fan of the original Kolchak television series, I was delighted to receive a copy of this 13-story anthology to review. I had high hopes for Kolchak Eras, and great expectations, as Charlie D. would say. And every hope, every expectation, was not only met, but far exceeded.

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.

Fox Spirit on a Distant Cloud Lee Murray The Cuba Press (April 1, 2024) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham Fox Spirit on a Distant Cloud is a brilliant volume by Lee Murray. She hails from New Zealand (also known as Aotearoa), and this short volume deals with the Chinese diaspora in 1923 in her country. It elegantly blends mythology and horror; history and heartbreak; racism and perseverance in such a lyrical way that the reader cannot help but be drawn in deeply.

Lovecraft’s Brood Ellen Datlow, ed. Tachyon Publications (July 21, 2026) Reviewed by Mario Guslandi Although, as anyone else, I’m more interested in anthologies or collections including brand new stories, I must confess that I do love reprint anthologies featuring previously published material revolving around a similar or a common topic. So much so that I’d be ready to try to do it myself if any publisher should offer me a chance to act as an editor 🙂

I Scream, You Scream Tim Waggoner Weird House Press (December 19, 2025) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham Tim Waggoner’s I Scream, You Scream was the most fun I’ve had in ages, and I was sorry to turn the final page of this delightfully creepy novella. Imagine how your skin would crawl if you heard an ice cream truck drive by playing “Pop.

The Sorrowstones Felix Blackwell Independently published (November 4, 2025) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham The Sorrowstones is a cursed artifact, coming-of-age novel that I blew through in an afternoon—it is that good. Every Halloween, beginning at age 11, Cole Graves finds a little something extra in his candy-stuffed pillowcase. A carved figurine…and he receives a different one for each Halloween until age 17.

The Haunted City (Blumhouse Book of Nightmares) Jason Blum, ed. Blumhouse Books (July 7, 2015) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham I had initial reservations about this anthology when I realized that the vast majority of the contributors were screenwriters. And my reservations were justified, because screenwriting and short story writing are worlds apart. Action is prioritized in screenwriting. It avoids long descriptions.

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.

The Butchered Writers Present: NIGHTMARES The Butchered Writers (March 30, 2025) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy The Butchered Writers: NIGHTMARES is a gripping and imaginative horror collection that pulls you into a world of dark suspense from the very beginning. Each story delivers chilling moments, eerie atmospheres, and unsettling twists that horror fans will truly appreciate. The concept is strong and creative, with vivid writing that brings every nightmare to life. This book delivers exactly what the title promises: a haunting journey into fear, shadows, and the unknown that lingers long after you finish reading.

The House Next Door Anne Rivers Siddons Ballantine Books (July 3, 2007) 279 pgs. Reviewed by Carson Buckingham The House Next Door made its debut in 1978, and though it’s an older book, 47 years have not dulled its creeping, psychological horror. The story is set in an upscale suburb of Atlanta, peopled with the requisite upscale residents, who are not too crazy about the new house that is being built on the beautiful, wild lot right next door to Colquitt and Walter Kennedy, a thirty-ish couple who like their peace and quiet and the glorious view that is now being destroyed.

Folk Horror Paul Kane & Marie O’Regan, eds. Flame Tree Publishing (August 27, 2024), 401 pgs. Reviewed by Carson Buckingham Folk Horror is a marvelous anthology based around, you guessed it, folklore. The main contributors are our friends across the pond, and due to that, much of the folklore was unfamiliar to me…which was great. I just love learning about horrifying new (to me) legends.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng Kylie Lee Baker MIRA (April 29, 2025) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is a startling look at the Covid pandemic through the eyes of an Asian woman who loses her sister. Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner and is haunted by a serial killer and the ghosts in her head after her sister Delilah is pushed in front of a subway car as the person yells, “Bat eater!” It’s quite unnerving, the book.

One of Us Dan Chaon Henry Holt and Company (September 23, 2025) 276 pgs. Reviewed by Carson Buckingham One of Us is set in 1915 and centers around 13-year-old Bolt and Eleanor, twins with mind-reading capabilities. After their mother dies, they are taken in by a ne'er-do-well con man who claims to be their uncle. He abuses the children, and when they see a chance to escape him, they do.

Dark Roots Sheldon Higdon JournalStone (November 14, 2025) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy Dark Roots by Sheldon Higdon is a masterfully crafted serial killer story. It begins with Benjamin Cole’s father committing suicide, and Benjamin has inherited the farm. When he goes home he finds a rundown place needing a lot of repair and as he starts to renovate, he knocks down a wall in the living room, only to find pictures of missing children.

Lord of the Feast Tim Waggoner Flame Tree Publishing (April 26, 2024) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham Tim Waggoner’s latest, Lord of the Feast, is a journey through hell not to be missed. Two families, related by marriage and intent, have decided that the world needs to end, and they want to create a god that can move the Earth into a state of disorder and chaos.

The Zaphnurr Phase Brick Marlin Seventh Star Press (July 1, 2025) Reviewed by Brian James Lewis  Hey there, fans of horror and science fiction! It’s been a while, but I’m glad to be back on your screen giving you the scoop on new books and some classics too. Today’s exciting new read is The Zaphnurr Phase by HWA member Brick Marlin.

Where the Pretty Things Rot Henry Snider Polymath Press (October 13, 2025), 353 pgs. Reviewed by Carson Buckingham I first became acquainted with Henry Snider when I was compiling and editing my one and only anthology, The Best of the Horror Society 2013. As a matter of fact, the first story in Henry’s collection, “The Clown,” was the story of his that I selected for my anthology.

This Way Lies Madness Dave Jeffery & Lee Murray, eds. Flame Tree Collections (October 14, 2025) 416 pgs. Reviewed by Carson Buckingham It’s a crying shame that there isn’t an Academy Award for anthologies, because This Way Lies Madness surely deserves one, but I guess it will have to settle for the Booker Prize, which it abundantly deserves. This is the best, most tightly written anthology that I have read in a long, long time…maybe ever.

Scaring and Daring: A Horror Writers Association Anthology Eric J. Guignard, ed. Harper Collins Children’s Books (August 12, 2025) 297 pgs. Reviewed by Carson Buckingham Anthologist extraordinaire, Eric J. Guignard, has done it again with this exemplary compilation of intriguing takes on classic literature, which may be read by children and adults alike, each group taking something different away from it.

The Best Horror of the Year, Vol. 17 Edited by Ellen Datlow Night Shade Books (late 2025) Reviewed by Mario Guslandi Legendary horror editor Ellen Datlow is back with yet another “year’s best,” an annual treat for any horror lover. As customary, Datlow not only provides a selection of her favorite short stories that appeared in print during the previous year, but conveys a massive amount of information about anything concerning the horror area.

Darkness 102:  Advanced Lessons Were Learned Jonathan Reddoch, Elizabeth Suggs (eds.) Collective Tales Publishing (August 30, 2025), 102 pages Reviewed by Carson Buckingham Darkness 102 is an anthology of one hundred two 102-word tales on the theme of “lessons learned.” Let me say at the outset that I have a great deal of respect for those who can convey an entire story in only 102 words.

13 Ghastly Tales B.D. Prince Ghastly Press (October 7, 2025), 313 pgs. Reviewed by Carson Buckingham One of the things I love about 13 Ghastly Tales is the versatility. In this book, we have sci-fi, horror, paranormal, Native American mythos, and serial killer stories—there is something for everyone. I always learn something new when reading B. D. Prince’s work, as his research is impeccable.

SuperNOIRtural Tales Ian Rogers Burning Effigy Press (October 2025) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham First, I must say that I am always delighted to read anything by Ian Rogers. His writing is nothing short of brilliant, and I never feel anything but honored to review his work. SuperNOIRtural Tales is no exception. This is a collection of six stories, of which I am hard-pressed to find a favorite, as they are all so beautifully written.