Clowns, the devil, being buried alive, being the last man on earth. Do any of those things scare you? Fans of horror fiction, get ready for some truly horrifying tales.
“Observation Room 5”
This first story opens with a guy in a hospital room. In isolation in a hospital room. What happened? Well, he was a snob who didn’t like to be in close physical contact with others, but one day he decides to take the subway to work. He thinks he is a great guy when he opts to sit next to the homeless smelly guy in the dark corner that no one else will dare get near. This could be the worst mistake James Robinson ever makes.
“No Rest for the Wicked”
Huntsville, the oldest prison in the U.S., contained the country’s most active execution chamber. Roberts is on death row awaiting execution later that day when he receives an unheard of visit. The man visiting him wants to give him a job interview.
“The Prank”
This is the story of a childhood prank meant to scare someone had a much more devastating and terrifying effect on all who were involved.
“Yurple’s Last Day”
A lot of people are phobic about clowns. This is a look into the life of a clown. My first impression was that the story was going to be depressing, and in a way it was, but it was so much more than that. It was subtly scary. And it could happen.
“Tina”
Tina is young lady who was found wandering the streets while covered in blood. She seems to be naïve and innocent, but there is so much more to this young lady than meets the eye.
“That Gnawing Feeling”
If you scare easily, you might want to make sure it is daylight when you read this one. Real zombies and being buried while still conscious and alive. Can you really trust your friends?
“No. 5 Sycamore Street”
A man who once worked for a drug runner, loan shark, and man who was involved in all other sorts of illegal activities has reformed. Or has he? Can you ever truly leave your past behind?
“The Box”
A mysterious box is the main character of this story. Terri’s life goes downhill in many ways, then this mysterious box appears on her doorstep. It has an offer inside that scares her in so many ways, but how long will she be able to resist? And if she does give in, what will happen?
“Every Little Helps”
Do you know someone who recycles? Just how seriously do they take their recycling? An interesting and horrifying take on what some will do to try and save the planet.
“A Strange Affair”
This tale of relocating for work, an adulterous wife, and a serial killer, connects with a previous short story in this collection. The tie-in was a surprise, but one that made sense. And the twist in the story wasn’t seen until it was revealed. Great job, Michael Bray. Awesome story.
“Victor”
This one also connects with a previous short story in this collection. Two leaders of organized crime fighting for control. What did I learn from this story? Never eat special Chinese steak.
“The Last Man”
An illusionist learns how to make things disappear, but they do eventually return. Then he makes something huge disappear that he doesn’t mean to, and it doesn’t return.
Michael Bray is one of my favorite authors. His tales of horror never disappoint.
My favorite story in this collection is “That Gnawing Feeling”. My second favorite is “Yurple’s Last Day”. The rest of them tied for third place.
Even though the stories are make believe (at least I hope they are), the author writes them so well that you are sucked into their horrific world while reading them. Even after you finish each story, your mind stays focused on what you just read for some time. Those are the kind of stories I really like.
I know that I talked about a few of the stories being connected, but there are even more. Each of the stories is connected with at least one and possibly more of the others. If you pay close enough attention when you read them, it is possible you will be able to find how all of them are connected.
I think I got this book when it was offered free on Amazon, but I’m not sure. It is also possible that it was sent to me by the author. If you would like to buy a copy for your own reading pleasure, I have provided an Amazon link below.
Amazon Link: Dark Corners: Twelve Tales of Terror
Recommended Article: Meat: Uncut – a Review
Favorite Sentences:
Remy watched Roberts through harsh little eyes, which combined with his huge jowls and downturned mouth gave him the look of a bulldog chewing on a mouthful of wasps.
I need to finish though, the sound in the walls is getting louder, and I suspect it won’t be long now.
That was the thing with clowns, he thought to himself as he walked towards the center ring. Nobody ever takes them seriously.
She sounded like a bizarre psychopathic Yoda as she hovered there, just out of arms reach, waiting for him to make a move.
New Words Learned:
pratfalls – a fall on the buttocks or a humiliating blunder
cosy – British spelling of cozy
gout – I already knew that gout was a disease characterized by painful inflammation of the joints caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood that commonly occurs in a person’s big toe. But this word also has another definition that I didn’t know about. It also means a mass or splash, as of blood. That is the way it is used in one of the above stories.
About the Author:
Michael Bray, a talented British author, writes tales of horror that will send chills down your spine. He has written many books. Some of them are Whisper, Meat: Uncut, Dark Corners: Twelve Tales of Terror, and Funhouse.
