Corona Books returns to the bookshelves after a two year forced hiatus. Yes, Corona has been a horror for us all. This publisher has no identification to any virus, living or dead.
Now that’s out of the way…
The anthology itself has twenty short stories to choose from, and is a good answer to the “I don’t do horror” statement. Anthologies can be a gamble for readers; unknown writers and a small press? We’ve heard those arguments before, too. Yet, this small press offers strong, engaging voices.
As you would expect, there’s a mix of tales. Folk, macabre, and plain old mess with your head stories. It’s also worth mentioning that the editor hasn’t shied away from the violent sub genres either.
Drifting on the current autumn air, “Angel Hair” by Deborah Sheldon plays with tension rather than gore. A warning for those who dislike spider webbing. You’ll be brushing off the gossamer threads for some time after reading Sheldon’s story.
We follow a psychologist doing a favour for a friend in “Gloria” by Donna L Greenwood. Dr Grayson is asked to examine a patient to define whether they are legally able to appear in court. The defendants gruesome murder is the least of the doctor’s problems. This is for me one of the highlights of the anthology.
Justin Cawthorne’s “The Doorman” has fun with malfunctioning doorbell technology and the need for sleep.
With scarecrows, sheet music, violent spaghetti incidents, witches and werewolves there are snapshots from a diversity of life and frustration.
Be careful where you leave the anthology because Martin Bushell’s cover art has an unsettling tendency to watch you.
My affinity and understanding of the horror genre has taken some time to recognise, so I’m not one for featuring reviews in SFFWorld’s annual Countdown to Halloween. If you’re a stalwart horror reader, some of these will feel comfortable. The stories are short enough to read during a commute to work or coffee break. You’ll be dragged in. You won’t regret turning the page. For me that’s the marker for an enjoyable read.
Published by Corona Books UK
Paperback & Kindle
ISBN: 9781999657963
Review copy courtesy of the publisher.
© 2022 Shellie Horst
