Santa Womble Returns! The horror!! The horror!!!
Ho Ho Ho!!!
But this time with a sinister undertone as Santa looks at some recommendations for horror tales that I read this year. Asa 2021 still felt a little 2020ish not as much as in some other years but I should fix that in 2021. Here are some ideas to gift you or others for a dark and scary winter night
The Route of Ice & Salt by Jose Luis Zarate (translated by David Bowles) — Having recently read Dracula I am very clear how endlessly adaptable the story is. This is a remarkable novella taking place on the ship Demeter bound for Whitby – famous in the novel and various adaptations. Zarate brigs ina gay outsider Captain watching his crew vanish and he fears temptation could destroy him. Only available in English this year and well worth a look.
Spec Ops Z by Gavin G Smith — For something gritter and deliciously wicked fun then this tale of Russian Expert Soldiers transformed into zombies in the aftermath of WW3 in New York is well worth your time. Bloody, smartly constructed and has quite a few neat surprises in waiting.
The Cottingley Cuckoo by A J Elwood — A more disturbing choice here as motherhood and also mental health are explored combining present day and a time when people did almost believe again in fairies. Surprising.
Matryoshka by Penny Jones — On a similar note exploring those topis but this time showing that the supernatural and horror are not always entwined is this blisteringly dark story. Its excellent and well worth your time!
But Worse Will Come by CC Adams — A gritty nightmarish chase through London as a young man’s childhood mistake comes back to ruin and end so many lives around him. Compelling reading
Queen of the Cicadas by V. Castro — This tale explores Mexican mythology, has a great revenge plot and some nasty stings in the story. A name I think you need to watch out for.
My Heart is A Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones — A love letter to slasher movies and a truly unforgettable lead character the outsider who wants so much to be in one and then finds the experience itself life-changing but not always for the better. Powerful and further cements Jones as one of the genre’s most interesting writers.
Mime by Chrissey Harrison — An excellent British supernatural thriller where the evil force has no voice, but their actions and sense of humour is truly evil and makes you compulsively turn those pages. Great fun and everyone should read this one!
Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw — A superbly crafted nightmarish haunted house tale with an imploding group of friends falling prey to the forces of darkness. Nasty but so much fun to read.
The Watchers by A M Shine — Off to Ireland next for this very atmospheric and claustrophobic tale of a small group stranded in endless woods surrounded by dangerous monsters as soon as it gets dark. A fascinating debut and well worth hunting down for a wintry tale.
Time's Fool by Alys Earl — and lastly another tale exploring the gothic. Young adults about to learn about the dark side of growing up meet up with an ageless monster. Very satisfying!
