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.

The Starving Queen Dean Italiano 2017 P.I.C. Publishing Reviewed by Rick Hipson The Starving Queen, Dean Italiano's most recent novel, is every bit as terrifying as it is true for far too many of us. The insidious force of Dean's villain burrows into those she seeks when at their weakest moments, no matter how fleeting those moments may be. Her devious methods are invisible in every sense of the word, but she walks hand-in-hand with her prey all the same.

The Secret of the Sapphire Sentinel J. Dianne Dotson Android Press (October 21, 2025) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy In the second book in the series, The Secret of the Sapphire Sentinel,  J. Dianne Dotson brings back the beloved Gen Lightworth and her Fireflies. Something is amidst in the moonlight world of Glimmberbight. Gen and the Fireflies have been able to get the Amethyst Lantern open, but they haven’t learned all of the history of the inn or how to restore it completely when strange things start happening again.

Dead Scalp Jasper Bark Crystal Lake Publishing (July 29, 2025) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy Looking for your next splatterpunk western? Look no further. Jasper Bark has done it again with another Dead Scalp tale. The only rule in Dead Scalp is: Don’t cut your hair. And for good reason. You’re liable to be killed, if you do in a very inventive way.

Pretend You Don’t See Her: The Invisible Woman Jill Girardi and Lydia Prime, eds. Kandisha Press (September 30, 2025) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy False eyelashes; lip plumper; dewy sprays to make our skin look younger; contouring makeup; photo ready foundation; eyebrow threading; Botox; girdles; corsets; push-up bras; bras to minimize our size; color blocked clothes to make us look slimmer and more attractive; shoes so tall we will shrink our Achilles tendons just to show off our calves in an inviting way; spray on tans; spray on pantyhose; diets; cleanses; Pilates; goat yoga; dog yoga; hot yoga; single strand hot oil hair treatments.

1,000 for a G-Job: A Horrotica Novella Jeffrey Caston Independently published (August 2, 2025) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy What is John to do when he can’t find a fulfilling sexual relationship with any of the women he’s taken out on dates? There’s nothing wrong with him. He’s the perfect catch, or so he thinks and he DESERVES to have some fun.

Just Gary Rob Gabriele The Evil Cookie Publishing (July 11, 2025) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy It’s just Gary and he’s dying, but then he wins the lottery. With his new machine controlling his REM sleep he can act out all the most depraved dreams he can imagine, but soon it’s not enough and he craves more. Enter his friend, Lana, who writes him fresh stories, but they come with a price.

Wetbones John Shirley Open Road Media (October 6, 2015) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy Disgusting wet husks of what used to be humans are showing up in Hollywood and Tom Prentice has no idea what has happened to his wife. It’s probably better he doesn’t. She’s become controlled by the dopamine highs while demons feed on her, controlled by ancient beasts that walk this earth in search of new victims and now she too is “wet bones”.

80s Death Mixtape: A Horror Anthology The Butchered Writers TBW Press (August 4, 2025) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy Neon colors, leg warmers, windbreakers, jelly bracelets, and the era of big hair and New Wave and heavy metal that ushered in the all the artists we know and love today – the 80s. Remember Walkmans and mixed tapes? The Butchered Writers Presents: …

Threads of Shadow P. A. Sheldon Independently published (April 26, 2024) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham Threads of Shadow is Paul Sheldon’s second book in his Wendlelow Mysteries trilogy, and it was well worth waiting for. Though you certainly can read them out of order, as you do get some backstory from the first book, for the best effect, I strongly recommend that you read this series in order.

Extinction Dream Andrew Najberg Wicked House Publishing (August 1, 2025) Reviewed by Andrew Byers Andrew Najberg’s Extinction Dream is a gripping work of science fiction-horror that thrusts readers straight into an unrelenting psychic battlefield. As with Gollitok, Najberg’s previous masterpiece, Extinction Dream is a harrowing and brilliantly crafted blending of dystopian science fiction and psychological and body horror. Mostly set aboard an orbital station, with the backdrop of a near-future, dystopian Earth collapsing under the weight of environmental catastrophe and great power conflict, the novel follows Markus, a soldier who suddenly finds himself on the front lines of an unseen war.

The Solstice Elaine Pascale Trepidatio Publishing (April 11, 2025) Reviewed by Andrew Byers Elaine Pascale’s The Solstice is a ferocious and uncompromising dystopian horror novel that imagines a near-future America ruled by the old who unhesitatingly prey upon—literally—the young. In Pascale’s chilling vision, society is stratified by color-coded neckbands, with the elder “Red Bands” reigning as decadent, cannibalistic overlords who mark each seasonal solstice with a state-sanctioned purge of the weaker (and younger) classes.

Echoes and Embers: Speculative Stories Pedro Iniguez Stars and Sabers Publishing (July 15, 2025) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy It’s rare that I find myself in awe of an entire collection, but Pedro Iniguez has done this with Echoes and Embers. He’s tugged at my heartstrings and made me laugh and cry and find hope for tomorrow all in the same book.

Rabbit Face and Further Awful Encounters Thomas C. Mavroudis JournalStone Publishing (April 25, 2025) Reviewed by Andrew Byers In Rabbit Face and Further Awful Encounters, Thomas C. Mavroudis offers readers a compelling collection of thirteen literary horror stories that are both richly atmospheric and deeply unsettling. This is Mavroudis’s debut collection, and it announces the arrival of a distinct voice in weird fiction, one that confidently blends the uncanny with emotional depth and narrative precision.

The World Turns Red Tim Waggoner Cemetery Dance Publications (June 26, 2025) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham Well, all I can say is that The World Turns Red is another in a long line of brilliant horror work by Tim Waggoner. There was never anyone who could blend the real with the surreal so seamlessly that, as wild as the story gets, it makes perfect sense somehow.

Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Black Pharaoh JM Reinbold MX Publishing (September 20, 2025) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham In Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Black Pharaoh, Holmes and Watson have been retained to find Robert Henry, the Fifth Earl of Convarran, who disappeared following a hastily abandoned excavation at the Black Pyramid in Egypt.  However, the deeper they explore the case, the more complicated it becomes, full of secrets, murder, stolen ancient artifacts, conspiracies, and a deadly enemy.

The Nightmare Frontier Stephen Mark Rainey Crossroad Press (May 16, 2010) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham In The Nightmare Frontier, Rainey’s most surreal, dreamlike book yet, we find ourselves in Silver Ridge, West Virginia, and by the time Russell Copeland arrives to attend the funeral of a young nephew he barely knows, things are beginning to turn strange…and it’s just getting started.

Dreadful Things Michael Laimo Crossroad Press (January 26, 2025) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham This is the first of Michael Laimo’s works I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. Dreadful Things lives up to its title and becomes relatable simultaneously because it's your normal, average person whose day, Job-like, spirals out of control for no good reason. Here’s what you can expect:

The Wages of Belief and Other Stories from the Dark Side Elizabeth Massie Macabre Ink (February 4, 2025) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham Elizabeth Massie is a Bram Stoker Award-winning author, and it isn’t hard to see why. She had a knack for seeing right through the motivations of humanity and the falls it takes for not paying attention. Her writing style is also reader-friendly and it is easy to dive right into her work.

Old Monsters Never Die By Tim Waggoner Winding Road Stories (May 28, 2024) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham There’s a good reason that Tim Waggoner has won the Bram Stoker Award four times, and if you are discerning enough to purchase a copy of his latest, Old Monsters Never Die, you will understand that reason…in spades. It is a thinking person’s sort of surrealist horror that leaves you still mulling it over days later—and in this age of horror writers turning increasingly to blood and guts and veins-in-the-teeth shock splatter and mayhem, Mr.