All the latest Shadow Writer news and announcements.       December     We kick things off this month with the cover reveal for a forthcoming anthology edited by Paul and Marie, The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic from Titan Books! As featured on Reactor Mag (above), the hardback book is out next summer and features authors such as Olivie Blake, Kamilah Cole, Kelly Andrew and Hannah Nicole Maehrer.     You can find out more and read an extract from Tasha Suri’s contribution ‘The King’s Witch’ by clicking here. And you can pre-order the book here, here, here, or here. --------------------------------------------   Photo Credit Fiona Cummins   Back to their most current, and festive, release now and Death Comes at Christmas had not one, but two signings last month. The first was at Forbidden Planet in London (above) and you can see photos from this below, including Samantha Hayes who popped in early to sign, the books on sale, the group photo (L-R Tina Baker, Fiona Cummins, Helen Fields, Paul, Marie, Tom Mead and Russ Thomas), crowds, signed copies and general hilarity involving Russ (Death) coming after Tina (Christmas)!   Photo credit Samantha Hayes                                 Photo Credit Tina Baker   The second signing was at Waterstones Sheffield, with Paul, Marie, Tom and Russ, as part of the store’s ‘Christmas Evenings’ (below).                         The book also received a #1 Most Gifted banner in Crime, Thriller and Mystery Anthologies on Amazon (below).     More reviews have been rolling in as well, including this one from Exploring All Genres: ‘I loved the idea of having so many Christmas-centric stories with a touch of death. This is the perfect thing to read when you want those spooky vibes in October but are also craving some Christmas as well. The varying lengths of each story was another feature I loved. Some were a few pages long, whereas others sprawled and felt more like a novella…One of my favorite things about this book is the mix of stories found within. As expected, they all hold a similar theme, however, beyond that each story has its own unique voice and genre. Some were more classic, while others touched on true crime, general fiction, and so much more. There is something for everyone in this book and I feel that most readers will enjoy the vast majority, if not all of them. I will have to add these authors to my TBR to check out their other books because I enjoyed so many of their stories in this one.’ Read the full review here.   While The Witchy Storyteller said: ‘The book begins with an introduction by the editors. It helped adjust my expectations as I thought this would be a single murder mystery. While the stories do have “death” in some form, the approach is varied and left to the author’s perspective. The settings are also varied – historical, contemporary, countryside, city, India, UK, Ireland, etc. Some stories are stronger than others, which is to be expected in an anthology… Death Comes at Christmas combines cozy mystery, suspense, thriller, and slow-burn narratives to create a collection of stories where a death occurs during Christmas. The rating averaged 3.69, a decent number for an anthology with this many stories. The author bios are provided at the end.’ To read the full thing with scores for each story, click here.     Plus there were more 4 and 5* Netgalley reviews last month, all gathered below:   ‘WOW!!! What a great book!! This one had me hooked from page 1! This was a first for me from these editors and it will not be my last! This one was a win for me! I loved all of the short stories!’(Laura G)   ‘I’m not sure why Christmas and crime fiction are such an inevitable pairing, but there is something about the crime short story format in particular that works well. The majority of collections available, such as the British Library Crime Collections, are made up mostly or entirely of Golden Age-era authors, so it was refreshing to read Death Comes At Christmas, which features a range of contemporary crime and thriller authors. Complete with a beautiful cover design, this would make the perfect stocking filler for the bookworm in your life.’ (Janet B)   ‘Death Comes at Christmas is a lovely collection of Christmas themed crime fiction, edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Titan Books, it’s 368 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It’s worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. Something about the peace/love/joy holiday vibe has inspired crime fiction writers to serve up murder and mayhem for over a hundred years, and this collection of largely previously unpublished short form fiction showcases 18 top shelf writers doing it up in style. It’s a strong collection with stories running the gamut from 3-5 stars, weighted toward the upper end. As always, it’s a lot of fun to read the editors’ introductory notes. The stories themselves are included without author’s/editors’ notes, but the publisher has included short author bios in the back of the book. Many of the included authors will be familiar to readers (Tom Mead, Claire McGowan, Samantha Hayes, Angela Clarke, Liz Mistry, Fiona Cummins, and several others), whilst some will likely provide a nice introduction for new readers to follow. They’re all adept and quite readable. There’s not a clunker in the lot (which is a bit surprising).Four stars. Highly recommended and worthwhile. It would make a good choice for public library acquisition, home reading, and gift giving.’ (Annie B)     ‘This was a lot of fun!! I enjoyed reading the short stories from various authors.’ (Reviewer 1079398)     ‘There is a lot of fun packed into this collection of Holiday themed short stories. I love that you can read them quickly and also be entertained with each story and the characters in them. It was a nice change of pace to read something that got right into the heart of the story so quickly. I definitely enjoyed this collection and recommend other readers add this to your reading list.’ (Kelly M)   ‘This book I couldn’t set down and binge read in a few hours. A mixture of Christmas crime stories from different authors that are surely enough to intrigue and sadden you all at once. I would read another one like this in a heartbeat!’ (Athea W)   ‘Oh, I thoroughly enjoyed these stories. I wished I’d read throughout December but I couldn’t wait as there are many of my favourite authors in this book. It’s honestly brilliant! Loved it!’ (Dawn B)   ‘If you like short stories, reading crime and Christmas – this is the book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed dipping in and out of this collection of short festive stories from a myriad of great crime authors. It’s a perfect gift for friends and family who like to read books of a darker nature and it’s perfect over the holiday season when it can be challenging to sit down with a novel because of everything else going on. With this book, if time is limited, you can treat yourself to one story. If you do find some uninterrupted reading space, you can keep going to find out what festive theme will be explored in the next story… My absolute favourite was “Icarus” by Belinda Bauer. As a writer as well as a reader, this felt like a masterclass in achieving something very moving, Christmas and crime themed in very few words. It was marvellous story. Death comes at Christmas is out now, so you can purchase it in time for the holidays as a gift for others or for yourself.’ (Angela W)     ‘I enjoyed this collection of stories. Every single one was different. While some stories stood out to me. “Marley’s Ghost” by Sarah Hilary had an excellent ending. “Christmas Lights” was a heart-wrenching tale of grief and loss. “The Red Angel” warns of becoming lost in the unknown. “Secret Santa” is about a man with a crush on his coworker. That story had a plot twist that I was not expecting. I found “The Wrong Party” to be one of the funnier stories I’ve read in the collection. One cold night in “Frostbite”, Ellen encounters a man from her past. “The Naughty List” was a satisfying end for a man receiving strange messages about his past wrongdoings. Of all the stories, “Christmas Yet to Come” was my favorite. It showcases characters from the classic Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Marley may be deceased, but his legacy of ruthlessness lives on in his descendants. But he has met his match. Overall, it was a wonderful collection of stories perfect for those who love Christmas and mysteries.’ (Lanae B)   ‘Death Comes at Christmas, edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane, is an enchanting yet chilling anthology that blends festive cheer with classic crime. This 18-story collection gathers work by celebrated crime authors, including Tom Mead, Vaseem Khan and Belinda Bauer, all delivering holiday-themed mysteries that run the gamut from locked-room puzzles to domestic dramas. Set in snow-covered landscapes and cosy country houses, these tales of murder, secrets and betrayal reveal that the Christmas season isn’t all joy and goodwill. With each author demonstrating a distinct style, readers are treated to a variety of whodunits, some highlighting psychological tension and others evoking classic crime tropes. What sets this collection apart is its mix of tones and subgenres, making it an ideal read for both seasoned crime fans and those seeking a festive twist on suspense. The juxtaposition of Christmas spirit with dark motives intensifies the atmosphere, creating a unique and engaging experience that’s perfect for cosy winter nights. Whether it’s the charm of a winter wonderland or the unexpected twists in each story, Death Comes at Christmas keeps readers on edge, promising added intrigue with every new story.’ (Erin B)   ‘This collection is the perfect blend of cosy festive cheer and crime. Each story is unique and stands out on its own. While the theme may be the holidays and crime the way each author brings this to life is completely different. Each story stood up on its own and I have to say I enjoyed every one. I personally liked “Christmas Yet to Come” the most, but each one was enjoyable and distinctive. O’Regan and Kane have curated the perfect collection for crime fans that will be a must read on cold winter nights.’ (Siobhain M)   Get your copy in time for Christmas here! -----------------------------------------------     And if that wasn’t enough to tempt you, this month’s Guest Writer is the bestselling author and screenwriter, Angela Clarke (Watch Me, Follow Me, On My Life) with an extract from her story in Death Comes at Christmas ‘A Deadly Gift’. To jump right in, just click here.     --------------------------------------------------------     Foreign language editions of a couple of other Paul & Marie anthologies now, including the French version of their bestselling Cursed (above and below), published by 404 Editions, which they received last month.         Similarly, below is the gorgeous Polish edition of In These Hallowed Halls from Storylight…           You can still pick up the UK releases here and here. ------------------------------------------------     Paul also received his beautiful contributor copy of Shadowplays last month from PS Publishing (above and below). It contains his story ‘Stigma’ and you can grab the signed hardback here or the trade paperback here.         --------------------------------------------------     The first review for The Sorceror’s Incantation, the novel Paul co-wrote with Jennifer Ash and Paul Birch to celebrate 40 years of Robin of Sherwood, is in and it’s a 5*. Here’s what Wendy A had to say over on Amazon: ‘For fans of 80s TV series Robin of Sherwood, a new novel featuring some of the characters from the third series including Richard O’Brien’s Gulnar, Clive Mantle’s Little John and the Sheriff of Nottingham played by the wonderful Nickolas Grace. Told from three different points of view, the story is set during the events of series three and fleshes out Gulnar’s back story. As a huge Robin of Sherwood fan, it is always great to have new material and this is a very entertaining tale.’ You can buy your copy here. ----------------------------------------------     It’s the 8th birthday of HQ, publisher of Paul’s crime thrillers under his PL Kane pseudonym. Without them, there’d be no Jake and Sam, no Dr Robyn Adams, no Mitch and Bella Prescott… so he owes them a lot. You can find the page for all of these novels over on the Harper site here.     -----------------------------------------------     Paul was delighted to give a quote for Paul Finch’s new novel Rogue last month (above), which sees the return of his character DS “Heck” Heckenberg. You can pick up one of these highly recommended reads here. -----------------------------------------     Another glowing review for Paul’s latest novel, The Wet (actually the first he wrote) has appeared. Here’s what @EmilyOffPage (above and below) had to say: ‘“It needed these people, the good people of Sable, and would use them accordingly. After all, they were only flesh and blood.” First, thank you so much to Paul Kane for writing this wonderful book! And another big thank you to Hellbound for a copy in exchange for an honest review! I absolutely loved this weird and twisted horror novel. It reminded me of old school Stephen King (big fan). I felt just about every emotion while reading The Wet: heartbreak, anger, joy, nervousness, and just plain “wtf did I just read?” after some scenes (also a big fan). Plus, I just absolutely love that awesome cover! And it totally never freaked me out in the middle of the night... Set in the seaside town of Sable, over the course of one day, everything goes to absolute chaos when a peculiar storm cloud appears over the water where it only rains in the one spot. Harding quickly realizes it’s straight out of his nightmares as well as his current painting project. Vicky arrives in a helicopter with her small crew ready to film some boring interviews when they see the storm and have a better idea for a career boosting segment for their TV station. Rob gets called out to help rescue a boat of fishermen that got caught in the maelstrom’s grasp. Their lives intertwine as others fall apart, because this “Rain Circle” is so much more horrific than they could’ve ever imagined. If you like a horror novel with multiple POVs, a wide range of emotions, twists, wtf moments, body horror, some gore, characters who you root for, others who you love to hate, and a strange “virus” turning the citizens of this small town into something... different, I highly recommend giving The Wet a try. 5/5.     It’s available on Kindle and as a paperback here, here, here, or here. -------------------------------------------     It only remains now for all of us here to wish you guys a wonderful Christmas! See you in the New Year. ----------------------------------------- November       Not only did Death Comes at Christmas, Paul and Marie’s new hardback anthology from Titan Books, launch last month (reaching #76 in all books on Amazon within a day – below), a signing took place at Forbidden Planet in London on November 2nd (photos from this next month!).     The book also received more 4 and 5* reviews on NetGalley which you can read below: ‘Thinking about buying a Christmas themed mystery book for someone you know…or yourself? Look no further. This is a fun anthology with a holiday flair. Inside are 18 stories by many authors whose books I have enjoyed. Just a few of these writers are Belinda Bauer, David Bell, JT Ellison, Clare McGowan, and Tom Mead. Sometimes a short story is just the right thing. For anyone who enjoys a quick read, dip in anywhere in this title. There are some gems.’ (Joyce L)   ‘From some of the masters of the genre come 18 festive tales, each with a particularly satisfying bite. Stories from CL Taylor, Helen Fields and Sam Carrington, people whose books crime lovers will have devoured, will prove enlightening and entertaining… if a bit spooky. Expect locked room mysteries and unusual behaviour, rivalries coming to the boil and dodgy deeds floating to the surface, each one is like a present in itself. Something to dip into, and continue to dip into, as each is full of the layers that its author are well known for.’ (Aine T)   ‘This is a perfect, feel-good, cosy up with the fire and Christmas tree lit behind you kind of book. Perfect Christmas read, simple and easy! This is a first for me, I enjoyed and would read more of the authors’ work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop.’ (The Secret Book Review)   ‘Murder? Christmas? Sign me up. I loved these short reads and loved reading all of them. Very fun and different!’ (Rose Q)   ‘This is a fun anthology and would make a great Christmas gift for someone who loves mystery and thriller books. There’s something for everyone with this book. A few of my favorites were “Christmas Lights” by David Bell; “Secret Santa” by Liz Mistry; “What She Left Me” by Tina Baker and “Postmarked Murder” by Susi Holliday.’ (Jada A)   ‘Murder Mysteries: make it Christmas! This book is a wonderful collection of holiday mysteries, perfect to have on your shelf when you are craving a fun, festive read. I enjoyed each of the 18 stories and absolutely love the cover!’ (Brooke W)     ‘The impressive lineup of authors includes Belinda Bauer, CL Taylor, Helen Fields, Tina Baker among many more. Like a perfect Christmas hamper, something for everyone with quality, quantity and variety across 384 pages. I like a multi-author collection and this is a good one with some of the authors dabbling in different styles and adding more humour for Christmas. Claire McGowan’s “The Wrong Party” about a nightmare of an office Christmas party is a particular favourite.’ (Dan B)   ‘I keep a little stock of festive books to get me into the mood on the run up to Christmas, but I’m also a big fan of books that have a twist in the tale that keep you guessing, so this was the perfect book for me. I’m not usually a big fan of short stories, but I can honestly say I loved every one of these. They were written by many of my favourite authors, in particular CL Taylor, and they were just the right length to build up the story and keep you guessing. I’d definitely recommend reading this at any time of the year.’ (Librarian 552665)   ‘Death Comes at Christmas, edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane, is a festive collection of eighteen seasonal crime stories by bestselling and award-winning authors. From locked-room mysteries set on Christmas Eve to suspenseful whodunits and family rivalries at the dinner table, each tale is filled with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. This anthology pays tribute to classic crime stories, blending the cozy warmth of the holidays with chilling mysteries lurking in the shadows of freshly fallen snow. This book was a lot of fun! Anthologies can sometimes feel uneven, but I found myself really enjoying the variety of stories in Death Comes at Christmas. The mix of different writing styles kept things interesting, and each mystery brought its own unique flavor to the collection. Perfect for curling up with a warm drink during the holidays, this is a must-read for fans of crime fiction with a festive twist.’ (Jessa Layne B)   ‘Acclaimed authors deliver a collection of original British-style Christmas mysteries, featuring locked-room puzzles, shocking twists, and festive suspense. Get ready for a chilling holiday treat! This eclectic mix will appeal to a wide variety of tastes. Each tale is well-crafted and compelling enough to keep you reading until the end.’ (Andrea Wenger)   ‘I read the name of the artists featured in this anthology of Christmas mystery and knew that I had to read it as Tom Mead and Vaseem Khan, plus others, are amongst my favourite writers. It could have been a series of minor and standard stories but it wasn’t: it starts with a bang and the level is always very high and entertaining. Some are surprising, some are entertaining, all of them are well written and well plotted. And I was happy to catch up with Joseph Specter and Persis from Malabar House. Be prepared for a treat and read it. Highly recommended.’ (Librarian 431790)   ‘A collection of Christmas stories that are not what we expect – but that’s what makes them wonderful!’ (Elaine C)   ‘This was a fun mix of holiday themed murder mysteries. I was not familiar with most of the authors so it was also a great opportunity to sample their work. Some leaned a bit more toward the cozy mystery side while several had dark twists. The stories also provided quite a few laughs along the way. I do not like horror or anything that leans too much into thriller/suspense or really dark, and these stories walked right up to that line but didn’t cross it for me. (I even used this as bedtime reading)! I enjoyed this collection and finished it in a few days.’ (Reviewer 1015462)     ‘I loved the idea of having so many Christmas-centric stories with a touch of death. This is the perfect thing to read when you want those spooky vibes in October but also craving some Christmas as well. The varying lengths of each story was another feature I loved. Some were a few pages long, whereas others sprawled and felt more like a novella. From the first story, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I knew this would be an entertaining and sometimes creepy collection of stories. While there were too many stories in this collection to properly give my thoughts on each one, I will say I loved almost every one of them… I will take a moment to highlight a couple of my favorites. The first story, “How to Commit Murder in a Bookshop”, had an intriguing beginning, and while quite short in length, this story stuck with me well after finishing the book. This is the perfect read for all booklovers and anyone who works in the publishing industry. Eleanor was a fantastic character who was extremely observant of the other characters in the bookstore. The murder was well planned out and took me and Eleanor by surprise, which was fantastic. “The Red Angel” was a perfect mix of Christmas and true crime. While it didn’t grab my attention immediately, after a couple of pages I was fully invested in the story and with the steady pacing and constant upping of the ante I was absolutely gobbling this one up. In “The Wrong Party”, I wasn’t too sure what to expect. It took me some time to get into this one but every time I thought I should put the book down for a bit, I immediately decided against that and kept reading. There’s no good way for me to say what I enjoyed about this one without spoiling it. I truly wish I could take the time to talk about each story, but I feel it’s best for people to read this short story collection to find out for themselves. One of my favorite things about this book is the mix of stories found within. As expected, they all hold a similar theme, however, beyond that each story has its own unique voice and genre. Some were more classic, while others touched on true crime, general fiction, and so much more. There is something for everyone in this book and I feel that most readers will enjoy the vast majority, if not all of them. I will have to add these authors to my TBR to check out their other books because I enjoyed so many of their stories in this one.’ (Sarah Q)   ‘This intriguing set of short stories, all with varying Christmas themes, will intrigue, sadden and prompt you to look into other works by the various authors. Some are incredibly sad; some are great fun; all are well written and interesting short stories. I recommend this anthology as it certainly introduced me to several authors whose works were of interest to me.’ (Ruth M) ‘18 festive stories of murder and mystery in the grand tradition of Christmas crime fiction, from the masters of the genre… I’m here for all of this!’ (Elizabeth L)       ‘I was excited to read some murderish Christmas short stories and this book delivered on that! The short stories varied in length, some as short as 10 plus pages and others as long as 30-ish pages. Each was unique and not repeated which keeps the reader interested. I believe readers will enjoy this book for the holiday season! Happy release day!’ (Erin B)   ‘These were all very fun stories that I couldn’t put down. Perfect for the holidays if you want something other than romcom.’ (Heather P)   ‘A great selection of Holiday themed mysteries. These are perfect for the madness and rush of the holidays when you just want to sit down and have a little read and feel like you’ve accomplished something. Each one is perfect on its own and I can’t wait to read more from these authors in the future.’ (Cindi A)   ‘Wow, with a lineup of authors like this, who wouldn’t want a little Christmas magic from them? Seriously, this book is exactly what you need! Each author brings their own unique twist, and their brilliant minds make this such an entertaining read. Some stories are short, but they’re packed with the perfect mix of everything you’re craving. Once you start, it’s hard to stop – you’ll just keep flipping from one story to the next. Totally addictive! Big thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for letting me dive into this early copy!’ (Reviewer 1337643)   While over on Insta, @brewtifulfiction added: ‘If you are looking for a book that gets you through spooky season and right up to Christmas, look no further than #DeathComesAtChristmas a brilliant collection of short stories from some of my favourite crime authors.’     Paul and Marie also did a piece about the anthology for the mighty Crime Time, which you can read here.     And an extract from JT Ellison’s tale ‘O Murder Night’ appeared on Nerd Daily (above) which you can read here. You can order your own copy of this festive treat here. -------------------------------------------------       Some exciting news now, as Paul returns to the Robin of Sherwood universe, created by Richard Carpenter, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the TV show! You might remember that Paul wrote the audio and novelisation of The Red Lord a few years ago, well now he’s joined forces with Jennifer Ash and Paul Birch to bring you The Sorcerer’s Incantation. The book is divided into three points of view, with Paul tackling Little John at the beginning (played in the show by Clive Mantle). It gave him an opportunity to explore not only John’s relationship with love interest Meg (Claire Toeman), but also Robin himself (as played by Jason Connery, both below).       And the first photo of a copy in the wild was posted online by Beatrix Schilke (below).     You can get your own edition of this very special release here. ----------------------------------------------     There have been more reviews of Paul’s latest novel, The Wet, including this 5* one from @anovelconcept (above) ‘So well written, drew me in and had me hanging on to find out more the whole way through!’     @chapter.capture_ had this to say in their 4/5 review: ‘Are you a fan of the horror genre? If so, The Wet by Paul Kane is a must-read for you. This chilling novel immerses you in the eerie seaside village of Sable, where a storm transforms the familiar landscape into a nightmarish setting. The story follows characters like Jason Harding, who struggles with the loss of his son, and Rob Woodhead, who returns home to face his past. Kane does a great job of creating a tense and creepy atmosphere that keeps you hooked. The storm isn’t just a backdrop, it adds to the characters’ emotional struggles and makes the story more intense. If you enjoy horror stories that mix real feelings with supernatural thrills, you’ll really enjoy The Wet. The Wet will undoubtedly satisfy your craving for a gripping and thought-provoking horror experience. This book is definitely worth picking up.’     @bookbabevee (above) had this to say: ‘An anomaly has disturbed the quiet village. At first it seems as though that’s all it is... until it’s not. This horror novel follows three POVs and how their lives have taken a very bad turn. Very gory, very lengthy, very good!’     While @IsHaunted said in their 3.5/5 review: ‘#TheWet is a story that follows multiple characters, all drawn together by a storm – and things spiral from there. The influence of classic horror movies is hard to miss, and it adds a nostalgic edge to the story. I enjoyed the multiple POVs, with each character’s baggage adding depth to the unfolding horror... There’s definitely gore, but it’s not overwhelming. The real horror comes from the eerie atmosphere and the way small, unsettling details gradually build up. The conclusion worked for the story, but some readers will be left with more questions than answers. Overall, it’s a solid horror novel that embraces classic themes and delivers a slow-burn creepiness. Fans of atmospheric, character-driven horror with ’70s and ’80s vibes will find something to enjoy here!’   You can grab your copy on Kindle and as a paperback here, here, here, or here. -----------------------------------------     Our Guest Writer for November is Daniel Carpenter, with an extract from ‘Stink Pit’ published in his very first collection, Hunting by the River (above and below) from Black Shuck. You can read this by clicking here.     --------------------------------------------     Short stories now, and Paul’s tale ‘Stigma’ appeared in the anthology Shadowplays (above), edited by Peter Coleborn & Mike Chinn, with cover art by Ilan Sheady. Published by PS, it launched at FantasyCon in Chester last month and you can pick up the signed hardback here or the trade paperback here.     His second story in as many months for editor Kaye Booth also appeared in Midnight Garden (above). Paul’s story is called ‘Drip-Feed’ and you can read an extract and find out more about the inspirations here and here, buy the book here, plus watch the promo video by clicking on the below.   ---------------------------------------------   To coincide with the Spooky Season, Paul did a reading from one of his favourite MR James’ tales ‘Lost Hearts’ and the story of his it inspired ‘Heartless’ from Dark Reflections. You can hear both readings below:       And you can find out more about the collection, published by Black Beacon Books, here. ------------------------------------------     Huge thanks to Javi Lara for posting this pic of his signed Spanish Servants of Hell online (above). And to José Torres Criado, who reviewed the book and said: ‘With Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell I enter into the literature of the Englishman Paul Kane, author of more than hundred and fifty books and this brilliant novel where the world of Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective blends seamlessly with that of Clive Barker and, essentially, with that of his mythical Hellraiser. Writing a Sherlock Holmes pastiche is difficult: you have to know the work of the creator of the world’s most famous detective very well, and also perfectly master both the expository style of his cases and their resolutions, as well as the literary styles of his creator. Even more difficult is to mix all this with the deranged universes of the aforementioned Barker. Paul Kane has managed to pull off what I’m talking about, and Clive Barker himself has called him “the resident Hellraiser expert.” Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell is pure love for its two references and for the authors of both, and it is also a frenetic novel full of memorable scenes that knows how to merge with a coherence that at first one might tend to doubt (due to the difficulty of achieving it in these aspects), two literary creations that are totally opposite.’ You can read the full thing here.     While Taula de Jocs said: ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell. Holmes and Dr Watson must investigate a case of disappearance. The person in question disappeared from a locked room. But this is only the beginning…’ And Enrique Cordobes (photo above) admitted: ‘What a start!! I almost missed lunch reading this.’   You can pick up your very own copy here. ----------------------------------------------     The Turkish version of Paul and Marie’s anthology Twice Cursed has had a bit of a makeover. Its new look is above, and we think you’ll agree it’s even more stunning than before! It’s coming out soon through Athica Books, but in the meantime you can still get the original English version here and here. -------------------------------- October     The big news for this Halloween month of October, is the Italian language version of Paul’s book Hellraisers (above, with cover art by Scott Harben). Chock full of interviews with the creators of this mythology, including Clive Barker and Pinhead himself Doug Bradley, this will be out in December as a limited hardback with a paperback to follow. For more information, visit the publishers Independent Legions here. ----------------------------------------     Paul received his contributor copies of the latest novel (actually the first he ever wrote!) last month, and gorgeous they look too (below)             It also received its first review, and it’s a belter. This from The Graveyard Machine: ‘I am a man of great honesty when it matters so I must admit that I have never read Paul Kane. However, I knew the name because he’s essentially the professor of all things Hellraiser (one of the greatest horror IPs of all time)… So what is The Wet? The Wet by Paul Kane takes readers (and a well rounded cast of characters) on a chilling journey to the storm-battered seaside resort called Sable, where nature’s fury seems… let’s say almost supernatural! In this early novel, recently uncovered from Kane’s archives and written in his early twenties, he paints a tale of suspense and horror that is both a nod to the classic horror novels and movies of the ’70s and ’80s – his writing style is cinematic! This early writing was not just a bottom-drawer manuscript but a page-turning story inspired by Kane’s experiences as a shy, overweight kid who avidly consumed horror as read in his introduction. As a writer and horror junkie myself, I love seeing the influences of other creatives. In The Wet introduction he shares in his influences such as movies like The Blob, The Abyss, The Fog, and it’s safe to say a slice of Jaws. I firmly believe that our influences create the foundation of our creative futures. If you lose that foundation you end up writing something that resembles a shambling zombie of a story. It appears from the beginning of Kane’s writing journey to now, he has never lost it! Kane’s ability to craft a compelling story with a textured atmosphere is evident in this early work. His characters are well-drawn, each weighed down by backstories that add depth to the unfolding horror. It’s honestly remarkable to me that Kane was able to create such robust characters (i.e. Jason Harding) in his first novel. The Wet is a gripping and atmospheric novel that you can feel. It not only showcases Paul Kane’s early talent but also serves as a testament to his enduring influence in the horror genre. Fans of classic horror and Kane’s later works will find much to love in this rediscovered gem.’ You can read the full thing here.         The novel also had its first airing in public, on the Hellbound stall at LA Horror Con 14-15 September (above). If you weren’t able to make that, you can pick it up on Kindle and as a paperback here, here, here, or here. -------------------------------------     Our Guest Writer for Halloween is none other than the author of the High Moor series of werewolf novels, Graeme Reyolds, with an extract from his latest. Introducing us to Jack Carlton in Night Bleeds into Dawn, you can get stuck in by clicking here.     ---------------------------------------------     Turning to anthologies now, and more contributors have been getting their copies of Beyond & Within Folk Horror, including Benjamin Spada, B. Zelkovich, Kathryn Healy and Christina Sng (below).           It was also landing through readers’ letterboxes, including @aela_escapesintobooks, Paul Finch and Charles Prepolec (all below).               The book also rose to the ranks of #3 in ‘Most Gifted’ on Amazon, plus went on sale at Fox Lane (below).         Get your copy here, here or at Fox Lane here. ----------------------------------------------     As previewed by Gizmodo here, the paperback version of Paul and Marie’s Dark Academia anthology, In These Hallowed Halls came out last month from Titan (above). If you missed out on this the first time, you can get yours here. ---------------------------------------------------       Paul and Marie were sent the first look images of the Turkish version of their anthology Twice Cursed last month as well. It’s coming out soon through Athica Books, but in the meantime you can still get the original English version  here and here. --------------------------------------------     Out this month, in the run up to the Festive Season, is the hardback of Death Comes at Christmas from Titan. The book is now up on NetGalley, and the first reviews are in… A 4* from Sara D, who said: ‘I usually find it difficult to rate a short story collections because some may be 5 star reads while others feel mediocre at best. But I found myself flying through these stories and really having a fun time with each one. We had a lot of twisty endings that were great and most were quite eerie. This collection is for those that love a little Halloween vibe to go along with their Christmas cheer.’   Another 4* from Heather S: ‘This is a short story collection that was overall pretty good… This book is best read with a glass of warm mulled cider and a cozy blanket!’   Yet another 4* review from Elaine L: ‘I’m wary of short story collections because usually I only end up liking a few stories, or just one or two but Death Comes at Christmas was a surprise. In a good way… This was a festive and fun compilation featuring murder and mayhem during the Christmas season. Because don’t some people feel murder-y when you have to spend time with your annoying family during the holidays?’ Plus the first 5* from Wilfrieda S: ‘Death Comes at Christmas is a fantastic collection of 18 crime fiction stories set at Christmas time. I enjoyed all of them, some more than others. The mysteries were great, with some that have more creep factor than others. If you’re a fan of short stories and mysteries, this Christmas Crime Collection is for you! I will say my favorite was by J.T. Ellison. Highly recommend!’     The author of Every Move You Make, CL Taylor, also received her copy of the book. Cally is in there with a tale called ‘How to Commit Murder in a Bookshop’.  You can pre-order as a pressie for the crime fiction lover in your life here. --------------------------------------------- Paul’s story ‘The Hanging Men’ – a ghostly folk horror – dropped in Tales from the Hanging Tree last month. You can read extracts and an explanation behind the tale here and here, plus watch a video promo for the anthology below…     ---------------------------------------         Also on the short story front, Paul received his contributor copy of Something Peculiar from Black Shuck Books last month (above), featuring his tale ‘Versions’. You can get your own by clicking here. ---------------------------------------------     More love for the Spanish language edition of Paul’s novel Servants, published by Dimensiones Ocultas, with @josetorrescriado (above) stating: ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell is a little gem in which Paul Kane seamlessly mixes the detective’s universe with that of Clive Barker, with pure love for the characters and in a spectacular and frenetic thriller. Don’t miss it for anything in the world!’ You can get your copy here. --------------------------------------------------   September     New novel announcement for September, and this one’s a bit of a rarity. This from the official PR: ‘In the quiet seaside village of Sable, something is stirring. Reclusive artist Jason Harding has retreated there to recover from a past trauma. Lifeboat man Rob Woodhead returned because Sable is his home. Disgruntled weathergirl Vicky West is on her way to interview windsurfers for her satellite TV channel. All of them will be brought together by a freak storm, one that remains stationary over the ocean and seems almost alive. What happens next will rock the entire community to its core… The Wet is the very first novel written by #1 bestselling and award-winning author Paul Kane (The RED Trilogy, Before, Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell). Penned in his early 20s and recently uncovered, this curiosity influenced by ’70s and ’80s horror novels will shock and surprise you. The Wet is certain to cause a splash!’         Just released in August, already photos were being shared of the book arriving in people’s hands (below) and it will be available from the Hellbound stall at LA Horror Con this month.       The audio will be out shortly, but for now you can get the novel on Kindle and as a paperback here, here, here, or here. ---------------------------------------     Paul received his other most recent publication last month, his collection The Roads Less Travelled out through Crossroad Press (above and below), with an introduction from Philip Fracassi (the forthcoming movie of Altar from A24).           It's available as an ebook or in paperback here, here, here and here. -------------------------------------     We’re delighted to announce our Guest Writer for August, the excellent Stark Holborn, author of books like Nunslinger, Ten Low (above) and Hel’s Eight. You can read an extract from her latest, Ninth Life (below) from Titan Books here.     -----------------------------------------------       Turning to anthologies now, and the big news here is that Paul and Marie’s The Other Side of Never has been shortlisted for a British Fantasy Award (above). You can check out what else has been nominated here. And you can order your copy of the anthology here. ----------------------------------------------     Paul received all his contributor copies of another anthology he did with Marie, out last month, Beyond & Within: Folk Horror from Flame Tree (above and below).       It coincided with some of the authors getting their copies too, like Helen Grant, Alison Littlewood, Jen Williams and Katie Young (photos all below).           The book also started to get some great reviews, the first being from Benjamin Kurt Unsworth over at Ginger Nuts of Horror, who said: ‘In Flame Tree Press’ latest anthology in their “Beyond & Within” series, aiming to showcase a variety of writers, voices, and backgrounds, Paul Kane and Marie O’Regan bring together the various tributaries of folk horror to create a hardy repository of stories. Although it’s perhaps the broadest in scope of the “Beyond & Within” series, it doesn’t play second fiddle because of that; if anything, the range of imaginations it conglomerates forms a staunch bastion of stories, and Kane and O’Regan’s introduction is worth a perusal just to get a feel of how considered the whole thing is. Complete with beautiful cover, the anthology isn’t afraid to transplant you from the cosier realms of reality to its darker, untamed regions, and from the first moment you’ll wonder the kind of Pandora’s box you have opened… Exuding ambience and chilling creature feature rather than splatter and blood-curdling shocks, Kane and O’Regan collect a fine cabal of authors and know where to shine their spotlight – which makes it ironic maybe that this anthology’s greatest asset is how it undoubtedly leaves you wanting to turn the light back on and forgo sleep until daylight has returned.’ For the full detailed review, click here.     Meanwhile, Sam Tyler at SFBook Reviews had this to say: ‘There is an art to the short story, and I can say from experience that Flame Tree Press have gotten it down. They have produced many excellent short story collections, and their new venture is the Beyond & Within series. In many ways these books are the same as their larger collections, handpicked, curated tales on a given subject. In this case Folk Horror is edited by Paul Kane and Marie O'Regan. However, the format is smaller, more succinct and I would argue easier to digest. As easy as Folk Horror can be to digest. As a subgenre Folk Horror is a tricky one to pin down, what makes a book Folk? A place separate from the norm. Tales of ancient evils or modern cults and their weird ways, but also stories of the Fae or evils that lurk in the woods. Kane and O’Regan have created a mix of stories that are fast-paced, so if you are not a fan of one, it will not be long before the next…What makes this collection interesting is that the authors have approached Folk Horror in different ways…the hit rate for quality stories is there.’ You can read the full thing here. And get your copy here or here. ---------------------------------------     Paul also received final contributor copies of the hardback anthology he put together with Marie for this coming festive season, Death Comes at Christmas from Titan. The book looks stunning, as you can see above and below…         Why not pre-order as a pressie for the crime fiction lover in your life here. -------------------------------------------     Short stories now, and Heartwood – the Mythago Wood anthology edited by Dan Coxon, featuring Paul’s ‘The Crossing Place’ – officially launched at WorldCon in Glasgow last month with a signing at the PS table. Paul was unable to attend sadly, but contributors who did sign included Lisa Tuttle and Adrian Tchaikovsky.          Paul subsequently received his contributor copy of the book (above), with terrific cover artwork from Vince Haig.   To purchase yours, click here. ----------------------------------------       As announced by the publisher Black Shuck Books, Paul’s story ‘Versions’ will feature in the forthcoming anthology Something Peculiar (above) edited by Steve Shaw, alongside the likes of Michael Marshall Smith (The Intruders), Nicholas Royle (Antwerp), James Brogden (Bone Harvest) and Grady Hendrix (How to Sell a Haunted House).   Out later this month, you can pre-order that here. ------------------------------------------------       And another of Paul’s stories ‘The Hanging Men’ – a ghostly folk horror yarn – will be out in Tales from the Hanging Tree (above), edited by Kaye Booth, this month too. You can find out more about that one here. ---------------------------------------------       To end with, the Spanish language edition of Paul’s novel Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell, published by Dimensiones Ocultas, now has a ‘look inside’ option so you can read some of the book before you buy (above).     It was also reviewed by Román Sanz Mouta last month, who said: ‘I have to confess that the author, Paul Kane, knows what he’s doing. He has a profuse knowledge of Sherlock and Holmes, and he uses it to make his narrative flow entertainingly. To which he adds his expertise in Hellraiser, which gives the manuscript an atmosphere of progression, and even though we know what we're going to find, it is recreated in a fairly credible way and is enjoyed just the same…The plot explodes with a relatively normal investigation that leads to darkness about something that Sherlock already senses (and we do too). With scenes divided between the two usual protagonists, and the addition of nemeses and those entities from beyond the infernos… The atmosphere is achieved thanks to what we will discuss later, detective-like from the start, with mythical, terrible moments. Indebted to and inherited by Barker in all his splendour at the end, through the bloody descriptions of body horror and self-torture. Mysticism and twisted adversaries, demons, otherness. In addition to the usual Holmes supporting characters, and many freak references to novels, films and series, which are appreciated.’ You can read the full review here. And get your copy here. ------------------------------------------------ August   The first major announcement for August is the release of Paul’s collection The Roads Less Travelled from Crossroad. This from the official PR: ‘What’s that sound coming from the walls? Who is the mysterious stranger chasing a bounty hunter across a Wild West terrain? Why is a famous boxer so scared before the biggest fight of his career? Why is a man suddenly finding bits of his body are vanishing? And why are two others so frightened of Christmas? Find out in another clutch of stories by award-winning and # 1 bestselling author Paul Kane (Hooded Man, Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell, Before, Tempting Fate), including one of his PL Kane crime mysteries, a brand new modern Carnacki adventure and an early bonus tale only just uncovered. With an introduction by award-winning author and screenwriter Philip Fracassi (Gothic, Boys in the Valley), cover photography from Michael Marshall Smith (The Straw Men, The Intruders), plus the script and audio download for Bounty, this book is bound to set you on the right – or should that be wrong? – road.’ You can pick it up as an ebook or paperback here, here, here and here. --------------------------------------     And the hardback Folk Horror anthology Paul edited with Marie for Flame Tree, Beyond & Within Folk Horror, is out at the end of the month. Paul received the book ahead of this and it looks absolutely stunning, with sprayed edges and internal illustrations (above and below).         It was also making its way out to reviewers, as well as hitting number 13 on Amazon’s ‘Hot New Releases’ for anthologies (below).     You can pre-order your copy here or here. -------------------------------------------------------     More exciting news now, as PS have revealed the 40th Anniversary Mythago Wood anthology, Heartwood, edited by Dan Coxon, with an introduction by the mighty Michael Moorcock (The Eternal Champion series), plus cover and internal artwork by Vince Haig (above and below).            The anthology includes stories by the likes of Adrian Tchaikovsky, Lisa Tuttle, Tim Waggoner, Jen Williams, John Langan and Justina Robson.     Paul’s story ‘The Crossing Place’ is quite a personal and emotional one, and he hopes that he has done the creator of the mythology – the late Robert Holdstock, who he knew – proud. The book will be released in paperback and a special signed hardback edition (you can see the signing sheets below *note, since time of writing the first printing of this one has sold out!).         You can buy yours here. --------------------------------------------     Our Guest Writer for August is the author of the A Quiet Apocalypse series (above), Dave Jeffery. We have an extract from his latest release Mood Swings (below), plus an introduction by the man himself, which you can read here.       ----------------------------------------------       Back to anthologies, with an earlier one from Paul and Marie, the original Cursed, being listed as one of The Independent’s ‘13 Best Horror Books That Will Send a Chill Up Your Spine’ (above). They said: ‘Who doesn’t love a story with a good curse? Whether it’s a “plague on both your houses” à la Shakespeare or an ancient malediction rearing its ugly head, curses are the bread and butter of horror. This thrilling anthology of short stories, edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane, explores them in all (gory) shapes and sizes. Both authors have done a great job curating stories from an eclectic mix of modern writers, including Neil Gaiman, Christina Henry, and Charlie Jane Anders. Our reviewer found “Skin” by James Brogden, in which a man pays the ultimate price for judging someone with a skin condition, particularly disturbing (in the best horror book way).’ You can read the full list here.     This coincides with the first look at the French edition of the book, from 404 Editions (above). -----------------------------------------------     Turning to a more recent anthology now, and @whatwanderingwindyreads gave a glowing review of Paul and Marie’s #1 bestseller The Other Side of Never last month (above). They said: ‘If you love dark and twisted retellings of your childhood favourites, The Other Side of Never should definitely be on your tbr. Warning – there are NOT many happy thoughts to be found in this collection. Filled with 18 expertly edited short stories, there’s a little dystopian sci-fi, a lot of gritty fantasy and loads of horror. On top of some great twists on Peter and Wendy, we also get cool spin offs of The Lost Boys, Captain Hook, Tinkerbell and even the lagoon mermaids. Peter Pan holds a special place in my reader’s heart as being the first book I recall as a nightly bedtime story so it’s probably not surprising that this anthology gets 5 shiny stars from me. My favourites were: ‘A School for Peters’, which is very Black Mirror-esque; ‘Chasing Shadows’ that reminded me of classic Goosebumps stories; ‘The Lost Boys Monologues’; and ‘On Til Morning’. Peter Pan lovers... Who’s your favourite original character/s? The Lost Boys and Nana the dog are mine.’ You can pick up your copy of the book here. ----------------------------------------       The Turkish edition of Paul and Marie’s Dark Academia anthology, In These Hallowed Halls, has also been released (above). You can get that here. Plus you’ll find YouTube review videos of the Polish edition below:       Meanwhile, the UK book is still getting attention over on Instagram, like these photo-posts from @bookish_fluff and @galedrinksink below…       You can pick up the hardback here. -----------------------------------------     However, the paperback is coming in September! Paul received his contributor copies of this recently (above and below) and they look just as beautiful as the hardback!       The pre-order link for this is here. -------------------------------------------     Paul also received ARCs of his and Marie’s crime anthology Death Comes at Christmas (above and below).       Plus, some of the authors have been receiving their actual finished hardbacks – photos below from Clarie McGowan, Susi Holliday and Helen Fields!         It’s out in October so don’t wait for the festive period to creep up on you, pre-order today here. ----------------------------------------------     Finally, the Spanish edition of Paul’s novel Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell, out through Dimensiones Ocultas, is continuing to get attention since its release. Dr Motosierra (above) said in his mini-review: ‘Each page of Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell exudes nostalgia, each paragraph is pure and shameless fanservice to dazzle Barker’s followers.’     Elena Cuéllar (above) said: ‘Finished #SherlockHolmesYLosSirvientesDelInfierno from Paul Kane. What a crossover he has brought us! Addictive from start to finish and with some surprises: WTF. Don’t miss it!’     @juanflores666 (above) had this to say: ‘Their words are sharp blades, their phrases are the blood of obliged sacrifice, they are the perfection of the real “Cenobite”.’     While El Mae (above), weighed in with: ‘63 pages and it has me deep inside! As the story takes ideas from the first film (traveling brother, the other brother’s wife who had an affair with him, the upstairs room of the house, the ritual…etc) and transfers them to the time of Sherlock!’     ‘Damn you, Paul Kane, you got me hooked… How the hell did you come up with this?’ commented Kirbyaunqueda, who also reviewed the book in detail here.     Not to mention all the lovely photos online from the likes of @enriquecordobes (above), KrLos, @la_hora_13, @suecobiker and @maidhisa (each below).               The book also made it onto a listing of CyberDark bestsellers and put in an appearance at the Celsius convention in Spain (both below).        You can order your copy here. --------------------------------------------   June/July       The big news to start off this double news month, is the arrival of a Spanish language edition of Paul’s award-winning novel Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell published by Dimensiones Ocultas (above). On 27th May it went out to subscribers of Mysteries and Monsters (also above), and there was a 5% discount for any orders received before the wide release of 1st June (ads below). When it dropped, the novel became the publisher’s bestselling book in just 24 hours!       It was also featured on Ficcion Cientifica and put in an appearance at the Madrid Book Fair, courtesy of distributor Maidhisa (below)         People were sharing pictures of the publication as well, including the publishers themselves, translator Luis M. Cuena, @luuxlu and @kirbyaunqueda (all below).                   The link to order your copy is here. ----------------------------------------------     Our Guest Writer for June/July is #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels such as The Dirty Secrets Club, Ransom River and Heat 2 with Michael Mann (above), the wonderful Meg Gardiner. We’re lucky enough to have an extract from her latest, Shadowheart (below), which came out on June 18th. You can read that here.     --------------------------------------------------       Yet more mentions for Paul and Marie’s hardback anthology In These Hallowed Halls last month, like a shoutout from @read.with.tearna and this from @millasbokterapai (both above): ‘At the beginning of December I went to London and picked up this book at Piccadilly Waterstones. Mainly because of the stunning cover and the fascinating genre. The book consists of 12 stories, all in true dark academia-vibes. It’s published by Titan and I really want to read more from them. It’s written by 12 different authors, so I wasn’t fond of every story, but for the most part I found the book to be creepy and intriguing. I highly recommend this to all dark academia-lovers out there or anyone who is curious about books with a gothic edge to them. I got to read some new authors and I’ve already put some new books on my tbr after reading this. My 3 favourite stories from this anthology: “1000 Ships” by Kate Weinberg; “X House” by J.T. Ellison; “The Professor of Ontography” by Helen Grant. We often read big books, but I do like to switch it up with some smaller stories once in a while, such as this anthology. I’ve spent about two months enjoying and slow-pacing myself through this book. Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday wherever you are. I’m going to start my day by starting a new book with a cup of coffee out on my porch.’       @ashhleyreads (above) had this to say: ‘I haven’t read much in this genre so l was really excited to delve into it with this anthology! 12 short stories, 12 authors. Roughly 30 or less pages each. Finished in less than 24 hours! My favourite was “The Hare and the Hound” by Kelly Andrew! Have you read this? What other dark academia books/authors should I check out? Also hi, I changed my name to this from devouringbookishly because I wanted something simpler lol.’       Meanwhile the book was still being enjoyed over in Poland, as evidenced by this from @wydawnictwostorylight (above). ‘You outdo yourselves in creating collages with aesthetics for the anthology In These Hallowed Halls! We can’t get enough of it! And you have inspired us!’         Then from @thou.sandlives (above): ‘This is the first time I’ve ever written an anthology review. I thought it would be easier because I read the stories so fast I didn’t even feel the passage of time. From the first page, I found myself in a completely different place – behind the walls of the academy, where every secret has its price. If I had to describe the climate of these twelve stories in three words, it would definitely be: mystery, darkness, and anxiety. In addition, there are forbidden romances, built on the basis of fear and uncertainty. There is a pursuit of vengeance and justice, spiritual seances, and also an obsessive desire for truth. There are murders, blood on hands and secrets that you take with you to the grave. Did I enjoy some of the stories more or some less? Yeah. Was there a story I didn’t like at all? Nope. Although I know the work of only two authors, whose stories are in this anthology, it’s among the list of other unknown authors, I discovered my new favourites. Special accolades, in my opinion, go to such titles as “The Professor of Ontography”, “Pythia”, “The Hare and the Hound”, “Four Funerals”, and “Phobos”.’     This is what @booksbybookaholic (above) said: ‘In These Hallowed Halls is a collection of stories that attracted me mainly by the theme. You have to admit that 12 stories, 12 authors and 12 ideas for unique stories embedded in the dark academia aesthetics sound like a recipe for success. And in my opinion, that’s what it turned out to be. Behind an absolutely beautiful cover with gilding lies stories among which everyone will find something for themselves. A diverse group of authors presented here really unique stories revolving around the dark academia theme. Everyone has something fresh inside them. So here you will find stories on the verge of horror, where people are not as they seem, mysterious disappearances, ghosts of the past, magic and exceptionally developed technology that influences characters. It is known that in the collections, telling is not equal to a story, however, to my surprise, this one maintained a fairly steady level of my commitment and I found something attractive in each of the stories, even in the ones that many reviewers did not necessarily like. The beginning of “1000 ships” looks promising. Because we have a drawn out story of a romance between a professor and a student with an unclear twist. This text attracted me additionally to the author’s work, because it is a prequel to an already published book. It only gets better from then on, and they deserved attention in my opinion at least. “The Hare and the Hound” – in which form the author managed to draw up a mass of content and interesting motives and elements of Nordic mythology or “The Unknowable Pleasures” which left me with a feeling of satisfaction or “X House”, which left me with goosebumps on the whole body. “Sabbatical” is in turn a great example of the ironic humour I enjoy. And these are just some of the stories that deserve appreciation. It was wonderful to move into the walls of atmospheric buildings, join secret societies or feel a hint of magic on your own skin. The reading gave me a lot of satisfaction and I highly recommend it to all fans of the dark academia theme, dark atmospheres and beautiful covers that will proudly decorate the libraries.’     Next we have @zaczytana.karo (above), who said: ‘Gothic buildings, university environments, cemeteries, cults, massive libraries, knowledge and extreme emotions, from passion to obsession... this is the essence of dark academia... I love this kind of atmosphere in books, so as soon as I heard about a collection of stories maintained in such a style, I automatically said – I’ll take it! In These Hallowed Halls is a collection of 12 mini-stories that use themes associated with dark academia. Some of my favourites are: “The Professor of Ontography” (all about a professor who no one has seen on campus, and the subject he teaches is a huge (abhorrent!) secret; “Pythia” or a troubling vision of artificial intelligence/fortune teller, which has problems of a psychological nature, in a certain Delphic academy... “X House” or a variation on mean girls, who are an integral part of any elite scientific institution...’     These Hallowed Halls, an anthology in which you will find 12 stories, full of darkness and mystery. I’m not a fan of short stories. I definitely prefer the longer forms, more expanded. That’s why I looked at this anthology as a whole. And I have to admit that all of the story writers have captured the very essence of dark academia’s aesthetic. Here we will find secrets, a sense of fear and uncertainty. Some stories are darker, and others will be perfect for those who are just starting to reach for dark academia literature. In the anthology we will find a huge cross-section of authors – from those more famous like M.L. Rio or Olivie Blake, as well as those less known. Thanks to this, I added some authors’ work to my TBR, because I enjoyed their stories so much. Each of the stories is different, touches on different topics. Every one of these gave me a different feeling too. I was intrigued by some, but others gave me goosebumps. My favourites: “Weekend at Bertie’s”; “The Unknowable Pleasures”; “Phobos”.’   You can order your copy of In These Hallowed Halls here --------------------------------------------------------------   Finally, Paul appeared on a Silver Screen Podcast Cult Classics episode recently talking about his favourite subject, Hellraiser yet again. You can listen to that by clicking on the video below. Enjoy!   ---------------------------------------------------   May     This month, it’s mainly about the reviews – and we start with a great one from Happy Goat Horror (above) of Paul’s collection Zombies! They said: ‘Today I’m reviewing a zombie collection from Paul Kane, a writer I’m sure many of you know and love. I didn’t realise how long it had been since I last read a zombie book until I picked this one up… or how much I had been missing them. Despite the smell. There were only two stories in this book that didn’t appeal to my personal tastes. Considering that themed collections tend to get a bit samey, especially when the theme is something like our undead friends here, I was very impressed with how unique each story was. Despite the central theme, there truly aren’t any two stories alike between these pages. From a wink to Matheson’s I Am Legend, to long form poetry, to other worlds, and twists on familiar childhood tales, this collection explores a variety of subgenres, plots, and writing styles. My favourite stories were “We Have Become Mechanical”, which opened the book, “Dalton Quayle and the Teatime of the Evil Resident Living Dead”, and ”Pay the Piper”. The latter was by far my favourite, on account of how deliciously sinister it is. In Zombies! you’ll find humour, rotting corpses, science fiction and horror, amongst many other things. I’d recommend it to fans of zombies, of course!’ You can read the full thing here. And you can shamble along and get your copy of Zombies! here. ----------------------------------------------     Next up Pollyanna Jones had this to say about the bestselling anthology Cursed: ‘First published on 3rd March, 2020, by Titan Press, Cursed is an anthology of eighteen short stories and two poems based around themes of classic folklore and fairy tales. Familiar themes from tales of old are thrust into contemporary worlds or alternative settings, bringing unique twists or new monsters to the reader. The sensation of reading these stories was uncomfortably familiar, and something that I had not felt since I was a child. I found myself experiencing the same discomfort and dread that I once had as a young reader discovering the story of Bluebeard by Charles Perrault in the collection of children’s tales known as Tales of Mother Goose… There was a sense of magic and supernatural to these tales, a blend of myths and terrors of old placed in contemporary settings, or a new world entirely. The stories in Cursed do just that, shifting the reality of the reader to experience the tale being told in settings familiar and new. As each story unfolds, you are lulled into a sense of familiarity by such myths and fairy tales before being plunged into despair, horror, and eye-popping twists. Each tale in Cursed put me in that place where I was reading that fairy tale, and acknowledging that all was not well. There may not be a happy ending. Was a wish going to make everything better, or bring fresh unimaginable misery to the story’s hero? Who is the true monster, the ugly Beast or Prince Charming? Is a hex really operating as a curse or the gift of a lesson? Is a blessing something that one would live to regret for the rest of their lives? The anthology is full of twists, tales asking questions that break up the formulae of the familiar. There is no safe trail of breadcrumbs here… As an anthology, Cursed makes for an enjoyable book for those who like to read in one long sitting, or are only able to have some quiet time in short bouts. Some stories certainly were stronger than others, however this is likely down to personal tastes. The variety of writing styles in this anthology covers all bases from modern contemporary to prose. The variety of themes covered kept me interested, and part of the fun was trying to guess which story or myth each author had chosen when writing their tale. All are sensitively crafted, paying heed to the lore and theme that they chose to explore. I found it very difficult to put the book down, and had to read each story from start to finish to reach the conclusion of each tale before closing the tome. Many of the stories lingered on my mind, kept me thinking. Which is always good, unless you are prone to nightmares! In summary, Cursed is a feast; an accursed banquet of dark tales to thrill and delight.’ You can read the full, detailed review here.     You can grab your copy of the original Cursed here. And also its sequel Twice Cursed here. --------------------------------------------------------       Paul’s latest collection Dark Reflections was reviewed by Nat Whiston last month for Big Hits Radio’s Sunday Service show (above – the review will also appear in Phantasmagoria magazine). Here’s a little of what she had to say: ‘Paul Kane presents a thrilling and suspenseful collection of stories, offering me the exhilarating opportunity to review yet another remarkable addition to his illustrious career… This collection is a homage to the classics, taking a tale beloved by all and turning it on its head. It’s no secret that I love an excellent reimagining, a refreshing take on a much-loved tale. He starts this with “In Hyding”. We get a new and fresh take on Jekyll and Hyde in the monologue teeming with Hyde’s disdain for his counterpart, and you can almost feel the unsettling atmosphere as if you are listening to him… Paul Kane takes his craft seriously. He honours the original lore and material whilst also making it his own. “Life Sentence” had to be my favourite purely for how thought-provoking and influential the story was, the aspect of Frankenstein’s method succeeding, and the ramifications for society that Paul beautifully constructed. The ending of that one guarantees not a dry eye in the house. “The Greatest Mystery” was child’s play for a seasoned master; he knows how to execute a Sherlock Holmes-style story of his very own. Having already proven this with Sherlock Holmes and The Servants of Hell, this supernatural take became my number two of the collection… What I genuinely appreciate about Paul’s writing is his versatility. This collection has a story for every reader, and the diversity and adaptability of each tale make the book a compelling addition to your reading list.’     Author and publisher David O’Mahony also gave the book five stars on Amazon, saying: ‘Paul Kane’s collection Dark Reflections is a gem of a book which manages to look forward and backward at the same time. These are not retellings of stories by classic writers, they’re sequels and homages. Not many authors would take on the works of Dickens, Lovecraft, Stoker, Poe, Shelley, Doyle and others besides in the first place, let alone generate original adaptations (as opposed to being wholly derivative) of their works. For instance, it opens with a story from the first-person perspective of the Hyde of Jekyll and Hyde infamy which makes you wonder what sort of darknesses are floating around in all of us. I went in to this without looking ahead to see what author was coming up next because I didn’t want to colour my readings ahead of time. So it was a particular joy to me, as a Lovecraft fan, to see a piece inspired by “The Shadow Over Innsmouth” – not a direct sequel but a continuation of the universe. And having somehow only recently discovered that Dickens had written ghost stories, seeing one of his appear in this collection was also great fun. I liked that while these are clear homages they are by no means deferential (as a writer myself who loves all these writers there is always the fear that you’ll emulate too closely). Kane writes confidently in a variety of styles which keeps the collection fresh and interesting. There are some really great supernatural pieces like “Masques” and “The Grey Room” but also lighter tones such as “Dracula In Love”, which is as much a tribute to the Boris Karloff era as it is the source material (and nothing wrong with that).You don’t need to know the classics to enjoy this and anybody who loves a good ghost story should definitely have this on their shelves.’   To read more about the collection and order, click here. --------------------------------------------     Our May Guest Writer is the author of The Unheimlich Manoeuvre and New Music for Old Rituals (above), Tracy Fahey. We’re delighted to have an extract from her Absinthe Books novella, They Shut Me Up (below), for you here.     --------------------------------------------     Last month Paul and Marie’s hardback anthology In These Hallowed Halls was published in Poland and the reaction has been incredible. This from some of the Instagram posts: ‘I really like the stylistics of the Dark Academia books, even though I haven’t read many of them. The topic works very well in TV series and here I have more experience as a viewer. I don’t particularly like story collections or anthologies either, I just always preferred longer literary forms. Until today, because with In These Hallowed Halls I was captivated, and from story to story I wanted to read further, which l did, despite pending work waiting on my desk. Each of these twelve tales has an undeniable atmosphere. A little dark, a little gothic, very tangible and charming. Of the universities presented here, all hide secrets, are unique, and sometimes during reading you get a thought that is so scary that you wouldn’t want to be in the skin of the heroes. The ideas of authors, and authors that I mostly didn’t know I admit, are very original. In my opinion they do not disappoint, they even stimulate emotions that are quite strong. They sure aren’t leaving me indifferent. This beautifully published book can be a great encouragement to read more novels of this genre, and that’s how it will be for me. It’s really worth it to feel like you’re on a university campus thanks to such a reading, once again among your student brothers, and to experience the thrill In These Hallowed Halls offers. I recommend it!!!’ (@jackspear217 above)     ‘In These Hallowed Halls is a Dark Academia anthology in which you will find a collection of stories by famous authors. Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane were responsible for the selection of texts and editorial care. I liked the introduction itself. The editors explain what Dark Academia actually is and what we can expect after this dive. I think if you’ve never read this subgenre of literature, this anthology would be a great start. And if you’ve already fallen in this dive, you can also find many interesting things in this collection. Almost all of these stories had something to intrigue me… Definitely I was most impressed by Kelly Andrew’s tale titled “The Hare and the Hound”. I loved this unclear chase after the white bunny. Reminds me of my beloved Alice in Wonderland. I was so intrigued by the author that I googled her name and it turns out I even had her book in the special edition. I’ll have to read it quickly… The stories are very diverse and I think everyone can find ones that will delight them, if you like dark climates, academic scenery, secret societies and everything else that can be found in this book.’ (@narysowajka, above)     ‘Reading this book, I was absolutely not disappointed when it came to the coverage of these topics (okay, maybe I lacked a bit of trust for the narrators). As with anthologies, some stories turned out to be better, for example, “1000 Ships”, “Pythia” or “Phobos” – it’s a story full of suspense, pushing one’s own limits and dealing with one’s own conscience… The variety contained in the anthology, and at the same time the topics connecting them, satisfied my craving for the Dark Academia subgenre, and left me wanting more. It’s hard to evaluate a dozen stories as one whole, but it was certainly a reading that aroused various thoughts, horror, and curiosity. I highly recommend this!!’ (@nelkagbooks, above)     written by M.L. Rio, Olivie Blake and other talented authors. Although each story retains a similar aesthetic, each of them transports the reader to a completely different, unique world, full of its own secrets. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of the literary genre or just starting your journey into dark environments, the tales contained in this anthology will provide you with a fascinating journey through private schools and campuses that hide extraordinary stories.’ (@sylwiaczyta, above)       ‘This dark academia-style anthology may prove to be a real treat for fans of short stories and a bit of a dark, slightly gothic vibe. Secrets, intrigues and architecture create their own unique atmosphere in each of these stories. Sometimes these stories can make you feel self-reflection, sometimes you will also feel goosebumps. I won’t hide it, I didn’t like some stories, but it’s normal when there are so many different ones and authors gathered in one place. My absolute favorites are: “The Hare and the Hound”; “X House”; “The Ravages”. Overall, I’m really positive about this collection. It was definitely an interesting and different experience that transported me to a different world. If this whole description makes you think that this book might be made for you, go ahead and order!’   (@magicinvelaris, above)     ‘Yesterday In These Hallowed Halls had its launch, which I had the opportunity to read in advance, but because of a nice discount I’m posting it today. When it comes to anthologies, I have a totally mixed relationship with them, mainly because I prefer longer forms. But for the sake of the Dark Academia theme, I was tempted and I am not disappointed. Each of the stories has its own unique vibe. The cover is quite dark and definitely pleasing to the eye. Some authors are quite well-known and liked. Language accessible… So, as you can see, I like to break from time to time and reach for anthology, although I still have mixed feelings because it’s hard for me to get into it, but once I do... Below I leave my three favorite stories from this particular collection: 1) “Phobos”; 2) “The Hare and the Hound”; 3) “The Professor of Ontography”. If you have read it and are able to recommend me something with a similar atmosphere, I will be grateful, and in the meantime I recommend you take a look, it was a really pleasant read.’ (@pelna.kulturka, above)     ‘Personally, I love being in a gothic university shrouded in darkness, mysteries, murders, gated communities, revenge and complex heroes – and this book will do it for you! The collection contains names more and less known, and although we have this common “element” which is the focus on this style, the stories are diverse and “hooked” from different sides, with other emotional aspects and diverse characters. Although I rarely read books in the form of a collection of short stories, here I did not feel this was a distraction and despite the diversity, there is no inconsistency here, which I liked a lot. I don’t want to spoil too much – it’s also hard to spoil when you have so many separate threads and secrets – so I’ll leave you with those feelings.’ (@reading.honeybun, above)   You can order In These Hallowed Halls here ----------------------------------------------     Finally, Paul was a guest last month on the Moving Pictures Club podcast (above), talking about the first Hellraiser movie. It’s available to listen to here. --------------------------------------- April Photo Credit: Dr Laura Varnam   We start off this month with anthology news, and congratulations are in order. Firstly, to Juliet Marillier whose story ‘The Reeds Remember’ from Paul and Marie’s book The Other Side of Never released by Titan last year has been shortlisted for the Aurealis Award in the ‘Best Fantasy Short Story’ category! You can find a full list of all the nominees here.     The #1 bestselling anthology was also reviewed by Ksenia Shcherbino at the BSFA who said, ‘A good story is always like an onion – it opens new layers of meaning each time you approach it. Even more so, if the book in question is Peter Pan – less than a book and more a mythology, a way of seeing the world, an identity. The protean nature of the original has its impact on its literary progeny: The Other Side of Never is a collection of short stories engaging with Peter Pan, spin-offs and palimpsests, sidequels and crossovers, re-tellings and re-imaginings…Barrie’s own text is highly intertextual as it has multiple genre versions (novel, play, story that refers to other stories). Moreover, many people nowadays know Peter Pan through the lens of interpretative media (animated Disney film or live action movies, Spielberg’s Hook (1991) with a star cast of Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, and Maggie Smith or even this year’s Peter Pan & Wendy which I haven’t seen yet). In a similar way, The Other Side of Never brings together different ways of reading Peter Pan, you just have to find yours!’ You can read the full thing here.     But that’s not all, Angela Slatter’s tale ‘The Tissot Family Circus’, which first appeared in Twice Cursed, has been picked up for inclusion in The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror V, edited by Paula Guran. At the same time, Paul was sent a photo of that anthology spotted in a bookstore in Barcelona (below, thank you to DK Sellers).     You can grab your copy of The Other Side of Never here. And Twice Cursed here. -----------------------------------------------     Also from last year, Paul and Marie’s hardback anthology In These Hallowed Halls – again from Titan – was included in the list of ‘25 Best Dark Academia Books’ by the prestigious Town & Country magazine (above). You can find the article here.     The book received a couple more shoutouts on Istagram last month as well, the first from @blackcoffeegreycharacters (above) who said: ‘Four and a half stars seems a pretty solid average to reflect this one – since it’s an anthology of unconnected stories, there were some I liked more than others. Personal favorites included “1000 Ships,” “The Hare and the Hound,” “The Ravages,” and “Phobos.” This collection does a wonderful job of pulling together the pieces that make #darkacademia what it is and I had a grand old time with it – it’s also a very digestible book given that you can read just 20-page stories at a time.’     And @kat.with.a.book (above) had this to say: ‘If you love a good #darkacademia story, then this collection is full of them. Flowed well and kept you turning pages. Definitely give this one a go.’     An earlier anthology now, and the Shirley Jackson Award-nominated Wonderland was included as a ‘Staff Pick’ by Smokey over at ShelfLife Books.   You can order In These Hallowed Halls here. And your copy of Wonderland here. --------------------------------------------     Our Guest Writer for April is another contributor to one of Paul & Marie’s anthologies, the forthcoming Beyond & Within: Folk Horror (available to pre-order here and here). Benjamin Spada is the author of the Black Spear novels FNG (above) and most recently The Warmaker (below), which we have an exclusive extract from right here.       -------------------------------------------------     Paul received another 5* recommendation of his latest collection Dark Reflections on Amazon, with the reviewer saying: ‘Like Rumpelstiltskin, Paul Kane takes the straw and spins it into gold, giving us new perspectives on the human experience. A truly wonderful read!’ To find out more information about this one, including the full ToC click here. ------------------------------------------------         Paul received his contributor copy of the Phantasmagoria Hellraiser Special (above) which contains his article about the Hellraiser Theatrical Sequels, as well as an extract from his novel Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell.     The weighty tome also included some reviews of Paul’s books, kicking off with Servants itself. Christopher Gray said: ‘Call to mind the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Unpopular Quality Street left alone, Granny sleeping for hours on the sofa after lunch, and television offering a multitude of detectives to snuggle up to: Poirot... Miss Marple... and the ever-famous Sherlock Holmes. Could there be a more scrumptious pleasure in life? Paul Kane suspects there could be… For Hellraiser fans, Servants of Hell adds an exciting texture to the already extensive history of the Cenobites. Arguably it contains everything a Hellraiser fan could want. A Francis Cotton appears to be an early victim, kick-starting what fans of the original three Hellraiser films will be relishing – new Cenobites, a visit to Hellbound: Hellraiser II’s vast otherworld, and continued cameos of the franchise’s visions – such sights that Kane sprinkles, rather than crowbars, in to show you. Both Holmes and Hellraiser fans will be pleased. However, Holmes fans may become befuddled in the book’s third act. With the mystery leading their heroes to such a new setting, Holmes and Watson are thrown into an all-out action fest of nightmarish concoctions. If Hellraiser fans were pleased before, they may find their pleasure become even more legendary. For anyone else, Kane’s plot takes a direction with the pace of a roller-coaster – readers may need it to be paused, but they certainly won’t want off. Servants of Hell shows Kane to be enjoying the ghostly atmosphere of Holmes and Hellraiser. It’s gory, elegant and wild. It even beckons the thought that from the time we read of the ghostly blue light streaming in through the brickwork, these two classics were destined to cross. Yet, if ever an adaptation is created, best leave Granny asleep when it’s on during the festive period.’ You can buy the novel here.     Editor Trevor Kennedy had this to say about the anthology Hellbound Hearts: ‘Since the release of the original film in 1987, the mythology of the Hellraiser universe has shot its blood-stained hooks, chains and more into several other forms of popular culture and media, including video games, comic books, jigsaws, Funko Pop! dolls and, as you would naturally expect, prose. In fact, Clive Barker himself discusses the whole concept of “mythos” in his Foreword (Doug Bradley also provides an Afterword) to this spin-off anthology edited by Paul Kane and Marie O’Regan…Truth is, there are no bad stories included here – certainly not from a technical point of view – although each individual reader will obviously have their own personal favourites, and, as you would expect from an anthology based around Clive Barker’s The Hellbound Heart and its screen incarnations, there’s some brutal, twisted stuff on display, but if you’re a fan of the series you wouldn’t really have it any other way, of course.’   Pick up a copy of that anthology here.     Nat Whiston reviewed The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy, saying: ‘This book does not just cover the thought process and behind-the-scenes of Hellraiser, but it also takes a deep dive into Clive Barker’s life, and how each of his previous projects and works led to Hellraiser’s birth. A movie that piqued my interest in writing horror and also encouraged my exploration of writing body horror… This is a fascinating read. As a fan of Clive Barker I knew some things about the films and The Hellbound Heart, but Kane takes an amazing psychological approach to this, sharing thoughts on the make-up of the characters, their relationships, and how the story’s visuals made it a cult classic. Kane doesn’t just focus on Hellraiser though, he also focuses on the external influences that led to Hellraiser’s rise to success. With an immense overview of the Cenobites’ construction and concept art that would make any horror fan drool, Kane shares his expert opinion and also shares with the reader the complex research he did to find answers for fans of the franchise. Plus, we get some unique viewpoints and first-hand accounts from the cast and crew involved, from make-up artist Bob Keen about creating the look for the Cenobites to Doug Bradley’s experiences on set as well as during production. All make for an engrossing read, as we traverse the darkness and become one with Leviathan, journeying through each film and projects linked to Hellraiser. This profound dissection of each film and how each one contributes to the world-building style of Barker gives the fans and lovers of the series everything they could want in terms of creation, visuals, and the decisions made behind each part, crossing through time to modern-day literature and film where we see how it still holds massive sway over how horror has evolved and changed through the ages. But it is not just fascinating from a fan standpoint, it is also invaluable research material. You learn so much about the process of writing, storyline creation, character design, and all the other aspects of making a good story, one that sticks with an audience. For a writer, it shows the breakdown of creating a series and keeping a strong relationship with readers. From a film standpoint, it gives a bird’s-eye view of making a story into a movie and brings it to life visually from paper to the big screen, the difference between creating your work and then producing and directing it. Incorporating everything that shows deep love and respect for the author and his work, Paul Kane also shows dedication as he showcases his collaborations to match the same amazing creative energy. Honestly, I adored this book and every chapter as I traced Clive Barker’s journey. It encourages writers of horror and shares important history with the fans.’ The book can be bought here.     Finally, Sarah Graven Weir reviewed: ‘Hellraisers by Paul Kane was published in 2018 and is an accompaniment to The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy from 2006. It is one of the most extensive recollections of accounts you will find for the series, comprising of interviews with the creators and the cast, and rare artwork and photographs from private collections. We open with an introduction on how the book started to take shape, leading the reader straight to the “Hellbound Heart” of the source: its creator Clive Barker and how his nightmarish dreams took to the stage. Barker provides an in-depth explanation into everything that encompasses the mythology of Hellraiser and where his inspirations are drawn from, describing the Cenobites as the Priests from Hell! It’s an extremely fascinating read of its progression. This brings us to Doug Bradley – who played the Lead Cenobite “Pinhead” – and where we are treated to a three-part interview that is spread out over the book. The list of people interviewed is phenomenal, and the connection Kane makes with every creative person genuinely stands out. You are taken right back to the start of the Hellraiser films with Ashley Laurence, who played Kirsty Cotton, and how she found working with the amazing Clare Higgins as Julia Cotton, and Andrew Robinson as Larry Cotton. This takes us to a gripping interview with Higgins herself, concerning her involvement in Hellraiser and how the script, upon first impressions, terrified the living daylights out of her! Next is Nicholas Vince, known as the Chatterer Cenobite in the first two Hellraiser films, and this is where we learn about the thought processes behind the creation of one of the most unsettling Cenobites, which takes the reader then to Bob Keen who did the effects for the first three Hellraiser films. What draws you into this unique set of interviews is how multi-talented everybody is, how their connections to Hellraiser came about, their enthusiasm, and how highly they speak of Clive Barker. You have the exceptional actor, writer and director Simon Bamford, who made the “Butterball” Cenobite his own with the framed iconic sunglasses, and Peter Atkins who wrote the screenplay for Hellbound: Hellraiser II (and the third and fourth entries in the series), created the god Leviathan, and so much more! Other significant interviews include the composer Christopher Young, director Tony Randel, Barbie Wilde who played the Female Cenobite, actor Kenneth Cranham about his double role as Doctor Channard and the Cenobite version of him, Anthony Hickox, Ken Carpenter, Kevin Yagher and Gary J. Tunnicliffe. There is a real feel for the time and how ground-breaking it was. The subject matter ranges from questions of sexuality, the advancement of technology, and how horror as a genre evolved into the modern world. Many of the interviewees explain about their achievements with the Hellraiser series, but also the tribulations they faced behind the scenes. There are plenty of hidden rumours uncovered and gems for the fans to sink their pins into. This book is an anatomy of references, enticing you further with links to websites, other books, films and merchandise to fulfil to your Cenobitic amusement.’ You can pick that one up here. Plus you’ll find more details about Phantasmagoria magazine and this special on its website here. -----------------------------------------------       To end with, a great book post last month, when Paul received his contributor copies of the paperback of The RED Trilogy from Hellbound Books. How stunning they look! (above) To get your own copies, visit here. -----------------------------------------------------   March   The full Table of Contents for Beyond and Within: Folk Horror, Paul and Marie’s anthology for Flame Tree releasing over the summer, has been released. They are: ‘The White Road’ by Neil Gaiman; ‘The Well’ by John Connolly; ‘Rabbitheart’ by Jen Williams; ‘The Original Occupant’ by Adam L.G. Nevill; ‘Summer Bonus’ by Lee Murray; ‘The Druid Stone’ by Katie Young; ‘Blessed Mary’ by Stephen Volk; ‘The Great White’ by Benjamin Spada; ‘The Marsh-Widow’s Bargain’ by H.R. Laurence; ‘Good Boy’ by Alison Littlewood; ‘The Finest Creation of an Artful God’ by B. Zelkovich; ‘The Third Curse’ by Helen Grant; ‘The Lights Under Rachel’ by Kathryn Healy; ‘Pilgrimage of the Hummingbird’ by V. Castro; ‘The Grim’ by Cavan Scott; ‘Pontianak: An Origin Story’ by Christina Sng; ‘Ghost Land of Giants’ by Linda D. Addison. You can see more about the book and read an exclusive extract from the introduction here. ------------------------------------------     Last month Nat Whiston Reviews followed up her report on The Gemini Factor (see previous news section last year for details) with one on its sequel, The Gemini Effect published by Encyclopocalypse. She said, ‘So, we go into the second book in the Gemini series. I finished The Gemini Factor, if you’ve seen the review you know how much I frickin’ love Paul Kane. He is king! Obviously I have now had the chance to sit and absorb and devour this book. This is The Gemini Effect, which is the second part in the series… I honestly believe that this is my favourite now, out of all of Paul Kane’s books, and that’s hard – try topping, just trying to top Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell… The fact that it topped that, in creativity, emotional connection, in pace, in action, in gore – in sheer detail alone and character development, as well as world-building. He’s on point. I’m jealous! The world-building and the development of the story, the way that he interconnects everything so seamlessly… I’m freaking jealous. He. Is. Brilliant! Hands down, my favourite book of Paul’s. And now… making me wait for book three!’ But to hear the full review, just click on the video below:     The 10th anniversary edition of the original novel was also given the audio treatment, read by Harry Singers (below).     You can check this out on Audible (below) simply by clicking here.     ----------------------------------------     Paul is delighted to say that he has an article about the Hellraiser Theatrical Sequels in the forthcoming Phantasmagoria Hellraiser Special (above, available as a paperback and limited-edition hardback). As well as lots of other cool material, including fiction by Peter Atkins and Nicholas Vince, there will be a review and extract from Paul’s novel Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell, and a review of his interview book Hellraisers.     To mark the release there will also be a launch in London on 23rd March (above). Sadly, Paul can’t attend, but if you’re a fan of the franchise then be sure to pop along. You can find more details about the magazine on its website here. ----------------------------------------     Our Guest Writer for the spring month of March is the wonderful Kelly Andrew, author of The Whispering Dark. You’ll find an extract from her excellent new novel Your Blood, My Bones here.     --------------------------------------     Kelly is, of course, one of the contributors to Paul and Marie’s Dark Academia anthology In These Hallowed Halls, which was just reviewed by @thebalancedbookshelf over on Instagram (above). Here’s what they had to say: ‘As a lover of Dark Academia I was so excited when this was published last fall. I’m happy that some of my favorite Dark Academia authors were featured and that is definitely reflected in my rating. While some, of course, are always better than others I liked the mix of concepts and storytelling ability. Overall, I gave this collection of stories 4 stars but my individual story rating is: “1000 ships” – 4 Stars; “Pythia” – 4.5 stars; “Sabbatical” – 3 stars; “The Hare and the Hound” – 5 stars; “X House” – 3.5 stars; “The Ravages” – 3 stars; “Four Funerals” – 4 Stars; “The Unknowable Pleasures” – 5 Stars; “Weekend at Bertie’s” – 4 stars; “The Professor of Ontography” – 4.5 stars; “Phobos” – 5 stars; “Playing” – 3 stars.’ To buy the hardback click here. --------------------------------------------     Finally, Paul was saddened to hear of the passing of two genre legends that he knew last month. First of all, Brian Lumley, author of the Necroscope series. His books were definitely an influence on Paul growing up, and although he only met Brian a few times – the first at World Horror 2010 – he found him to be a terrific guy with a great sense of humour.     The second was Christopher Priest, author of books such as The Prestige and more recently Airside (above is a photo of Paul with another late legend, Brian Aldiss, and Chris). His heart goes out to the families of both. -------------------------------------   February   As promised, more Death Comes at Christmas news – with the release of this gorgeous ad featuring the equally gorgeous cover for Paul and Marie’s anthology. Coming in October from Titan Books, it features contributions from the likes of CL Taylor, Vaseem Khan, Alexandra Benedict, Angela Clarke, David Bell, Helen Fields, Tina Baker and others. Paul’s been hard at work on this throughout January and will continue working on it in the coming month.  In the meantime you can pre-order the hardback here or here. ------------------------------------------     Paul received the stunning author copies of his latest collection Dark Reflections from publisher Black Beacon last month (photos above and below).           The owner of Black Beacon, Cameron Trost, went online himself to suggest an irresistible combination – Guinness and the collection (below)!     Plus Paul was interviewed by Runalong the Shelves about the process of putting this one together. You can read that here. And you’ll find a dedicated ordering page for Dark Reflections right here. ---------------------------------------------------     The RED Trilogy from Hellbound was the subject of a book tour last month (above). Bunny’s Reviews had this to say in their 5* write-up: ‘Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? Well, you might be after reading this trilogy. The RED Trilogy by Paul Kane is a gripping, jaw-dropping trilogy set that is going to have you coming back for more. Before you even get past the prologue of book one your jaw is going to be on the floor, eyes bugging out of your head, and your mind is going to absolutely be whirring. Brace yourself, because you’ve been warned! RED kicks things off with a jaw-dropping prologue that is literally going to have you thinking “WTH did I just read?!” Of course, you will hardly be deterred from delving deeper into this story as you eagerly dig deeper to find out what happens next.  It would seem that Paul Kane is an expert at making things appear to be one thing instead of what they truly are, because this book is packed with them. Ready to meet the FMC? Well, Rachael is a young woman who helps care for people in their homes. She’s good at her job, she’s just really forgetful of things. That’s going to land her in some bad situations in this book – which you’ll see. However, it won’t be entirely her fault. When you’re being hunted... well, simply doing anything in this case is going to land you in trouble! This book and the entire series are a collection of insane page-turners. At first, you’ll think...where does the “fairy tale tie in?” Wait for it, my friend! Wait. For. It!! We thought the same thing when we started reading this book, but it’s coming! The wonderful thing of it is that it continues to be tied into the story in book two. You start getting flashbacks, memories, and so much more. So, think that you’re going to be putting this book down for a minute? Taking a breather for a minute? Ha! Guess again! The RED Trilogy is packed with horrific goodness and we absolutely ate it up. Yes, we’re a horror fan, and all you have to say is “I have a horror book... wanna check it out?” And we will come running! This dark and deliciously evil twist on Little Red Riding Hood is to die for. You’ll be trying to devour this book before it devours you. So many excellent twists, tons of surprises, and drama that won’t let you down. Readers who are horror fans? This one’s for you!’ You can read the full thing here.     Gemma’s Bookshelf said: ‘The RED Trilogy offers readers a horror-filled, twisted take on the Red Riding Hood fairy tale with a lot more blood, gore and fear. The first book is a short novella that begins with Rachael Daniels, a carer who is looking after an old lady. One day when she is on her way to work, weird things start to happen. Rachael is attacked by... a human? A big dog? A wolf? These wolves are a lot different as they are able to shapeshift into humans and change faces which makes their prey a lot more vulnerable and there are a lot more surprises to come! There is a lot of killing and gory blood imagery throughout as Kane sets a new and updated lore of wolves that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. The second book introduces four new characters who are a group of wolf hunters trying to save the human race and stop the wolves from taking over, and the third book offers us an apocalyptic setting which brings the surviving characters all together for one last battle with a climactic ending! Each book adds new characters to the series but they are all connected in some way which really adds to the complexity of the books. The chapters are also shared between many of the characters’ POV which adds yet another layer to the series and gives the reader more backstory and insight to the motives and thoughts of certain characters. There are also flashbacks which tie in to the fairy tale and all these aspects come together to create a brilliant trilogy that you won’t want to put down. RED is an exciting, gruesome trilogy that turns the fairy tale on its head and provides readers with a dark and scary series that will leave you hungry for another bite.’ And you can read that here.     Over at Sly Fox Reviews, they wrote: ‘I said yes to this book based solely on the cover, and I’ll say a few things about the first book/part so I’m not spoiling too much. As expected, it does have some nudity, sexual scenes, and violence. To put it in perspective in the first 6 pages we read a love scene go horribly wrong; this sets the tone for the book. What I appreciate is if this is off-putting, it’s early on and lets the reader decide if they want to continue. After this, like any good slasher-esque media, the reader recognizes the high tension but it takes a while for the characters to catch up. We jump perspectives throughout the first part. We get to see through the eyes of the killer. “He imagined what it would be like to run his tongue up and down her back, slavering down it, panting as he grew more and more excited – until he could stand it no more and had to see the red. Always the red.” pg 50 I like the fact that Rachael makes mental lists, it makes her stand out as a character. “If it had been one of her mental lists it would have read: 1) tackle the lad with the knife and get the bag or 2) run – get to Tilly’s place as fast as you can, calling the police along the way.” pg 93’ You can read that one here.     Over on Instagram @bookshelf_wonders (above) had this to say in their 5 * review: ‘Well I really enjoyed this book, I’ve never read anything to do with a Werewolf/shifter before so this was new to me. Anyway I really liked this book, it’s fast-paced and I was hooked. As the name suggests this is a trilogy of books and if you are a horror fan you will love this, or if you fancy trying something new this new year have a go at this, you won’t be disappointed. Think of this as a twisted version of Little Red Riding Hood, but with blood – lots and lots of blood!’ While @rav.ingbooks commented: ‘This was a quick read. I was reminded of The Thing and Red Riding Hood as I read this. Fast-paced and the writing style reminded me of Clive Barker’s. I would recommend to any of his fans.’     @free_the_bookshelf said: ‘It’s mother**king werewolves baby!!! I love werewolves. I need more werewolves in my life. Paul Kane is an amazing author and I couldn’t recommend this more.’ @vickies_book_obsession also gave it 5*, saying ‘For those of you not afraid of the big bad wolf, you should be! This dark reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood will have you gripped from the beginning. No slow build here, just hit with an instant shovel to the face! Rachael has moved to the city to become an actress. While waiting for her big break she takes on a role as a carer. After a big night out with her friend, she wakes up with the hangover from hell, and a nagging feeling she has forgotten something. She realises she forgot to drop her favourite patient’s medication off, and despite her living in a rough part of town, Rachael decides to make the trip to deliver the meds. Remember, no good deed goes unpunished! From here on in, Rachael finds herself in the middle of a terrifying hunt, as the hunter or the hunted? Not only is this concept great, but the story between all three is so coherent and executed really well. The writing is brilliant, not only did I feel Rachael’s hangover, but I actually felt sorry for one of the “mutts” at one point. Imaginative, great characters, and absolutely impossible to work out what is coming next. Trust no one, doubt everything and always carry a mirror!!!’     @alyssas_book_obsession (above), said: ‘This is not the Little Red Riding Hood we grew up with. This is a lot gorier and scarier. Rachael is a good and believable female protagonist. I enjoyed seeing her evolve throughout all three books. The writing was beautifully dark and emotional. Violent. The world-building was perfect. The plot was darker than the original story. I definitely enjoyed Paul Kane’s take on this fairytale.’ Meanwhile @whatyoutolkienabout said in their 5* review, ‘Oh my god. What a book! I have always been a werewolf/shifter fan. I’m not talking about those romance books (although I have read a couple) but I’m talking Dog Soldiers werewolves and I have been dying to find a brilliant, heck even good, werewolf tale. There’s been a few but this one was amazing! If you like your creature features bloody, violent and well written you have come to the right place. Now we know I don’t like spoilers of the plot overall so I am going to focus more on the characters, writing and a little sprinkle of the plot. First of all the characters. I loved Rachael, she was such a good character, not necessarily morally but she was believable and I loved seeing her evolve through the novels. In fact all the characters were brilliant but Rachael was just, well I wish a lot of female protagonists were like her. The writing was just perfection. Equally gritty and emotional, beautiful but dark and oh so violent. Like I’ve said previously I adore tales of werewolves and the like and this one did not disappoint. If you are a bit squeamish this might not be the one for you but it is certainly worth it. But beyond the viscera the writing in general is just top tier. From descriptions of the surroundings and scenery to the characters and their interactions it was just perfect and suited the plot brilliantly. Finally the plot or plots. Well they are brilliant too. I loved the reworking of a classic fairy tale we all know and love and how Kane managed to turn this even darker than the original. I adored the world and lore he built up around it. The pacing and tension of each book was just perfect and kept me on the edge of my seat so that I had to know what happened next. If you are a fan of werewolves or dark retellings this one is one you will devour. I am not sure how I haven’t read more of Kane before now but I will definitely be reading more going forward! And @bookaholic_reviews offered, ‘Not the Little Red Riding Hood of our childhood! This is fast-paced, blood dripping horror. I loved Kane’s twist on a very classic horror trope. Book 1 definitely gave Red Riding Hood vibes, but as the series progressed, he offered us end of the world, apocalypse, and werewolf vibes. I absolutely loved reading this series!’     @quiet.im.reading (above) said next in their 5* review: ‘Think of the story of Little Red Riding Hood. Now think of it written in a much darker, violent, bloodier, gorier way…but still somehow also beautiful and emotional at the same time. That… is The RED Trilogy. In this trilogy you’ll follow the main character, Rachael, through three novels as she interacts with werewolves (Dog Soldiers) in an amazingly built world. The mental scenery and character development were great! I believe this is the first I’ve read of Paul Kane’s work, and I admit, I’m impressed! It’s a very well written retelling of the classic fairytale but in a way that really suits fans of darker fiction, like myself.’ While over on Goodreads, Kelly Marie Purdy said in her 4* review: ‘This book consisted of three horror stories. I thought the individual stories were an ideal length, that meant this book would be a good choice for readers who like to read in chunks or segments. I enjoyed the “red” theme, and how it intensified as the book progressed; I thought that was quite clever. While I was reading this book, I felt an odd combination of fascination and fear. I found the antagonist’s behaviour distasteful, and yet, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I felt emotionally involved, as though I was running away from this antagonist, this creature that the author created and brought to life on the pages.’ Stacy Kraut also gave 4* and said: ‘This dark version of Red Riding Hood gripped my attention from the very first pages and didn’t let go. I loved the main character, Rachael and I found myself really invested in her story. This book was dark and gory… just as a werewolf tale should be! This was my first book by Paul Kane and I’m looking forward to reading more! If you’re looking for a horror spin on a classic fairytale, check this one out!’     Finally, Chelsea Warren (above) gave it 5* and said: ‘This book was absolutely amazing! I’m into werewolves and this book brought a fresh take on werewolf stories. Some points played on my anxiety (in all the best ways), and I think I audibly screamed a couple times. This was a fun and wild ride. Paul Kane’s storytelling is great. This man can weave a terrifying story, and I loved every second!’ You can visit The RED Trilogy homepage and order your copy here. ---------------------------------------------     Our Guest Writer for the month of February is bestselling author of books like All the Pretty Girls (above) and The Wolves Come at Night (below) JT Ellison. We’re delighted to present an extract from her story for In These Hallowed Halls – edited by Paul and Marie – called ‘X House’, and you can read that here.      -----------------------------------------------     Sticking with that Dark Academia anthology, more shoutouts and reviews have appeared, including @skelebooks on Instagram (above) who said: ‘I just finished reading In These Hallowed Halls, a collection of academia themed tales. It was a Christmas gift from my fiancé and I loved it. I find short story collections difficult to review, especially when the stories are by different authors and written in different styles, but overall this was a great collection. I have also read Vampires Never Get Old by the same publisher. I think I might end up picking up more of their themed short story collections.’   Credit: @valenarrigunaga   On Netgalley, Nicole L wrote in her 4* review: ‘I always love collections of short stories, there’s just something so fun about jumping into different tales all within one publication! The authors of this one truly peaked my interest, Olivie Blake was my main reason for picking this up as well as my love of dark academia. I think this definitely bridges into themes of horror, lgbtq+, mystery, thriller and so much more! I think there’s definitely something for everyone and this would be the perfect start to someone’s dark academia reading journey. My favourite stories were: “Pythia” by Olivie Blake (I don’t think I was surprised by this as Olivie’s writing wows me every time); “1000 Ships” by Kate Weinberg – what a way to make me feel a strong NEED to pick up The Truants to see more of this character; “The Ravages” by Layne Fargo – tapping into that horror/revenge element that I LOVE… That’s just the top three, there were only a select few I didn’t really enjoy which is amazing out of a book containing so many new authors for myself. I will definitely be looking into many of these authors now.’ Then Sophie L said: ‘This was a wonderful dark academia anthology, with some fantastic authors on board! A great starting point for anyone who’s new to Dark Academia and wants to get a feel of what it entails and the kind of vibe to expect. I particularly enjoyed “1000 ships” – felt familiar, a little like My Dark Vanessa.’  And Allison V added: ‘I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed some of these stories as much as I did! The Layne Fargo story blew me away. I really liked Susie Yang’s as well. There were a few others that were excellent.’ Both were 4* reviews…     In her 4* review, Erin M said: ‘A brilliant collection of perfectly gothic short stories that not only introduced me to some new authors but also made for great reading throughout the week. A great starting point into the world of dark academia. “The Ravages” and “Pythia” were particular favourites of mine from this collection. I highly recommend picking this up!’ While Livia C’s 5* review said: ‘In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology is everything I could have hoped for from a short story collection and more. I was absolutely drawn by names like Olivie Blake and Tori Bovalino, who I love with all my heart and this anthology let me discover more and more magnificent new authors and I’m gonna be forever grateful. I love Dark Academia and everything surrounding it and this anthology is absolutely perfect. In these 12 short stories the reader will be able to follow these complex and magnificent, often morally gray, characters in their adventures and stories. From revealing sinister truths about missing professors, deadly rituals, seances for revenge, obsessions, lies, secrets and death… I loved every single story. Deliciously sinister and creepy, intense and beguiling. 10/10’     One final 4* Netgalley review, with Patridge P offering: ‘This is an absolutely wonderful collection. I am a huge dark academia fan, so it is no surprise that I loved reading this. I read one short story a week because I didn’t want to fly through the book. There are a range of authors here that I have read, and some that I had not had the pleasure of reading yet. That is what I love about collections – they introduce you to new authors but with a short burst so you can get a taste of what they are writing. Sometimes with short stories, I struggle to connect to the story and characters but this was not the case here. Every story was written with such great care and love that I was able to really get into the writing.’ To pick the anthology up, simply click here. --------------------------------------------     Czech copies of Paul and Marie’s earlier anthology, Cursed, arrived last month courtesy of Titan Books and publisher Vydala EuroMedia Group and were also sent out to authors. A stunning publication, you can see photos above and below.         There’s also a Cursed audio sample up on YouTube (below) which you can listen to by clicking here.       Lastly, but never leastly, February is of course Paul’s birthday month and we’re sure you’ll join us all in wishing him Many Happy Returns! ----------------------------------------------- January   A very Happy New Year to you! The Festive Season may well be over, but we kick off 2024’s news with the announcement of a related mass market hardback anthology coming out from Paul and Marie: Death Comes at Christmas (above), published by Titan Books, releasing in October, and featuring the likes of CL Taylor, Vaseem Khan, Alexandra Benedict, Angela Clarke, David Bell, Helen Fields, Tina Baker and other stars of the genre. Look out for more about this as the year goes on. ------------------------------------------------       But before that, we have the anthology Beyond & Within: Folk Horror from Flame Tree, coming out over the summer and featuring the likes of Neil Gaiman, John Connolly, Jen Williams, Adam LG Nevill and Alison Littlewood. The cover for this hardback has now been released (above) and it’s available to pre-order here and here. --------------------------------------------     The promos for Paul’s brand new collection, Dark Reflections continued to drop in the run-up to release last month, with extracts from some of the stories (above and below) and an exclusive interview with Paul himself which you can read here.     The collection was also mentioned on This is Horror’s News Roundup (below) here.       In addition, Paul received ARCs of the gorgeous paperback (below), which is now out!             The book also started to get reviews, including a 5* one from Jim Dodge on Goodreads and Amazon: ‘In this collection Paul Kane takes tales from some of literature’s finest and most respected writers and turns them on their heads. Some are sequels, some told from a different viewpoint and all of them are equal to or better than the original stories. For those, like me, who like their fiction darkly delightful, you will absolutely adore Dark Reflections.’ Another Goodreads review came next, this time a 4* one from Zane Pinner: ‘I enjoyed most of these stories which extend, elaborate or explore some of the classics of horror and suspense. Kane does a great job of mimicking the styles and tones of these well-known works, the majority of which I was familiar with. For the most part, it was fun to revisit these established worlds through a different author’s lens. By far, the stand-out piece for me was “Masques”, followed by “The Grey Room” and “Signals”. I’ve never read any Kane before this collection, but he has a long and impressive publishing history. I’m keen to read some of his standalone original novels as his writing is accessible, visual and well-paced. If you're a fan of horror and suspense classics, you’ll have fun with these stories!’     It was also reviewed by Alister Davison over at Starburst (above) who gave it 5* and said: ‘Dark Reflections collects twelve stories from Paul Kane, all of which are based on pre-existing works within the horror genre. By asking the questions “what if?” or “what happened next?”, each of them finds an answer that can be comfortingly familiar or entirely unexpected, but always delivered by Kane’s usual skill and respect for the original texts as he takes readers beyond their final pages and into unexplored territory. They are not only tributes but – as Kim Newman states in his introduction – love letters from the author, showing why such classics are read again and again, their characters remaining a part of popular culture for so long. The sources of some stories can be initially obscure, while others are obvious from their titles, but both types make for a good read. There’s delight in guessing correctly, while prior knowledge of what’s being referenced helps the author twist expectations to provide memorable moments and satisfying surprises. Kane’s a prolific writer, and he’s one who doesn’t stand still, imbuing this collection with a variety of styles; the darkness is always there, of course, but it’s tempered with a modern approach and humour that catches the reader off-guard to provide a superb experience. As such, there isn’t a weak tale among them. Picking a favourite would depend on the mood at the time, but for this reviewer, “Dracula in Love” stands out; it manages to be laugh-out-loud-funny while making the titular character both sympathetic and terrifying… A triumph for its author. Kane thanks the publisher, Black Beacon Books, for being willing to release the book and we should too, as this dark dozen are perfect accompaniments to the works that inspired them.’ You can read the full thing here.     Finally, Runalong the Shelves reviewed the collection, saying: ‘All the stories are in conversation with each other. It’s a delight to see how influences, themes and authors cross paths with each other sometimes separated by many years. It’s usually my unofficial rule to avoid comparing a book with another book. Or author. I like to make you see a book as it is and not carry any expectations of other reads but I’ll make an exception in this case as Paul Kane in their new collection Dark Reflections has assembled a great collection of tales honouring their favourite pieces of fiction. Inventive and respectful it creates a highly enjoyable reading experience: In this collection we get… “In Hyding” – a refreshing, different take on the case of Doctor Jekyll. In this we get Hyde’s view of events and it has the interesting angle of suggesting Hyde is a lot more than a simple experiment gone wrong. A menacing, coaxing voice that uses the original tale in different ways. “Signals” – a tragic ghost story as a young woman haunted by past incidents watches TV traffic cameras in her job. This story is a modern take on a classic ghost story and for me actually gives the lead character a past and presence beyond simply the unlucky person in the story. Beautifully delivered. “Life Sentence” –  a world where death is impossible yet some still crave it. This story has an SF feel and uses another classic tale to create the world we visit but the interesting angle Kane has is why would someone still want to die? The final scenes are haunting in a very different way to most horror tales. “Humbuggered” – Eric, one of the kindest men alive who would likely give you his own coat, is haunted by his inspirational mentor and told he will have three visits this Christmas Night. Yes it’s a spin on A Christmas Carol but here about not doing good! There is a rationale to all of this and it is both cheeky and yet still linking to the earlier days in unexpected ways. Tempting fun! “The Greatest Mystery” – a supernatural Holmesian tale that captures the feel of a classic case but here where random murders without motive are everywhere. I like tales that remind us Holmes is not simply an arrogant robot and the reveal as to the cause of events is surprising. “Dracula in Love” – a comedic tale of Dracula meeting a therapist to discuss the potential first ever time he is in love. This story throws in lots of vampire jokes and references and is playful. Who gets a happy ending? I will let you decide! “Heartless” – one of my favourites with nods to a classic ghost story as a tough but passionate police woman tries to solve the brutal murders of two young children. It captures the grim feel of a procedural but slowly supernatural elements take over. It’s delivered really well and yet very faithful to its source tale. “Masques” – a brilliant doctor comes up against a truly horrible infection that kills within seconds. He is haunted by a party. Here Kane updates a classic Poe tale and offers an unusual link to the original story. It’s vivid, downbeat and unnerving horror. “Paw People” – a lovely piece of character narration as our tortured soul explains their obsessional hunt for one object that has caused so much pain. Kane explores the wicked side of getting your wishes granted and this one is very much for you to work out the object causing the trouble. “The Grey Room” – a fascinating ghost story within a tale of a supernatural investigator and his friends where he regales this latest weird case. Lots of references but this story is quite unnerving and yet satisfyingly solved and explained. I’ve had loads of fun reading this collection and as well as the joy of working out the inspirations, Kane is delivering good and highly enjoyable stories that stand on their own two feet even if the source material was taken away. A fine spooky collection for these dark nights!’ You can read that review here. And the dedicated ordering page for Dark Reflections is here. ----------------------------------------------     Our first Guest Writer this year is award-winning editor and author of Green Fingers, Isolation (above) and Only the Broken Remain (below), Dan Coxon. This story is taken from the latter and to read it, simply click here.     ---------------------------------------------         More shoutouts on Instagram for Paul and Marie’s Dark Academia anthology In These Hallowed Halls appeared in December like these from @one.cosy.girl, @jessicamap and @aimlessmel (all above).     And @up.too.late.reading (above) did a little write-up, saying: ‘Dark Academia is defined by a darkness that overshadows the students, creating a solemn tone and aesthetic. It is often a murder, over-powered professors or a difficult student life. Not long after joining Bookstagram I discovered dark academia was a thing and that I loved it! Give me a dark school or college setting and I’m there! So I was delighted to receive this gorgeous anthology for my birthday. In these Hallowed Halls is a collection of short stories by writers known for their dark academia. I am not really a fan of short stories but I was intrigued by this as there are authors included that I haven’t read before. I picked this as my last read of 2023 as thought it would be a good one to end the year on. My stand out favourite stories were from David Bell, Layne Fargo and JT Ellison…Whether you are a lover of dark academia or are intrigued and want to see what it all entails this is a good book to try.’         Plus @bubblegum_or_books are doing an interactive readalong, the dates of which you can find above. So head on over there if you want to take part!   There were also more glowing reviews, starting with Geek Girl Authority (above), who had this to say: ‘Overall, In These Hallowed Halls is an excellent addition to any dark academia collection. Every story is worth a read, and a handful are exceptional standouts. The imagery describing the schools in every story is beautifully done. Each writer has a unique way of transporting the reader to these various Universities. The descriptions of the campuses almost made me miss walking the halls of my alma mater (almost). I certainly miss perusing the dead, silent stacks of the always-empty library… The more disturbing stories are the ones that clung to me the most. The macabre tone resounds in every entry and carries the reader from one dark atmosphere to another. After reading these twisted tales, my dreams were dark, disturbing and, of course, took place in a library. This anthology is satisfying for fans of dark academia, horror or mystery genres. Make sure you have a warm blanket when you read because some of these stories will chill you to the bone.’ You can read the full thing here.   Credit: @PrisandherBooks     It appeared in SFF World’s Yearly Review where Mark Yon reiterated what he’d said previously: ‘This one is an anthology of all-new stories that deals with the current trend known as “dark academia”. I said that “In These Hallowed Halls delivers an eclectic range of stories from many of the newest and brightest genre writers. It is a book ideal for settling down with on a colder Autumnal night, or indeed dipping into as you start that new educational journey. (Cup of tea optional!) If you are a fan already, I think you’ll love it, or if you’re looking for somewhere to start, to try the subgenre, I can think of nowhere better at the moment.”’ To read the list click here.       And it also made @zubscovered’s list of the best Dark Academia of 2023 (above)   To pick the book up, just click here. ---------------------------------------------------------     Finally, a new review of Paul & Marie’s anthology Twice Cursed has dropped, this time from AU Review. Here’s what they had to say: ‘Twice Cursed is the second anthology from editors Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane on the theme of the curse. Authors such as Neil Gaiman, Angela Slatter, Laura Purcell, and A. C. Wise have each contributed short stories of dark and urban fantasy and fairy tale to explore the concept of a curse: of being cursed, of cursing another, of exacting a curse, of breaking a curse. The authors take the concept in numerous creative directions, and each story captures a different aspect of the idea. Snow White must come to terms with living a half-life after she is awoken from the dead, her beauty and her mother’s wickedness haunting her in a cursed mimicry of being alive. A support group for people living with a variety of curses is penetrated by an immortal with an unlikely story. And an archaeological dig slowly gets out of hand as petty academics seek vengeance against a woman succeeding, and she is succumbed by a witch’s buried curses. These stories are dark but imaginative, gory but redemptive. What drives someone to cast a curse? How does one live a life while cursed? And if you have the opportunity, would you pass your curse on to others to save yourself? These questions and others are explored by the authors in this collection, which is an excellent follow-up to the first collection. I’d recommend this anthology to lovers of dark fantasy and fairy tales, and short stories that take a concept to many different conclusions. Some stories are not for the faint of heart… but then neither is a curse!’   You can read the full thing here. And buy the book here or here.   -------------------------------------------------------------- ARCHIVE 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |

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