Folk Horror Paul Kane & Marie O’Regan, eds. Flame Tree Publishing (August 27, 2024), 401 pgs. Reviewed by Carson Buckingham Folk Horror is a marvelous anthology based around, you guessed it, folklore. The main contributors are our friends across the pond, and due to that, much of the folklore was unfamiliar to me…which was great. I just love learning about horrifying new (to me) legends.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng Kylie Lee Baker MIRA (April 29, 2025) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is a startling look at the Covid pandemic through the eyes of an Asian woman who loses her sister. Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner and is haunted by a serial killer and the ghosts in her head after her sister Delilah is pushed in front of a subway car as the person yells, “Bat eater!” It’s quite unnerving, the book.

One of Us Dan Chaon Henry Holt and Company (September 23, 2025) 276 pgs. Reviewed by Carson Buckingham One of Us is set in 1915 and centers around 13-year-old Bolt and Eleanor, twins with mind-reading capabilities. After their mother dies, they are taken in by a ne'er-do-well con man who claims to be their uncle. He abuses the children, and when they see a chance to escape him, they do.

Dark Roots Sheldon Higdon JournalStone (November 14, 2025) Reviewed by Nora B. Peevy Dark Roots by Sheldon Higdon is a masterfully crafted serial killer story. It begins with Benjamin Cole’s father committing suicide, and Benjamin has inherited the farm. When he goes home he finds a rundown place needing a lot of repair and as he starts to renovate, he knocks down a wall in the living room, only to find pictures of missing children.

Lord of the Feast Tim Waggoner Flame Tree Publishing (April 26, 2024) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham Tim Waggoner’s latest, Lord of the Feast, is a journey through hell not to be missed. Two families, related by marriage and intent, have decided that the world needs to end, and they want to create a god that can move the Earth into a state of disorder and chaos.

The Zaphnurr Phase Brick Marlin Seventh Star Press (July 1, 2025) Reviewed by Brian James Lewis  Hey there, fans of horror and science fiction! It’s been a while, but I’m glad to be back on your screen giving you the scoop on new books and some classics too. Today’s exciting new read is The Zaphnurr Phase by HWA member Brick Marlin.

Where the Pretty Things Rot Henry Snider Polymath Press (October 13, 2025), 353 pgs. Reviewed by Carson Buckingham I first became acquainted with Henry Snider when I was compiling and editing my one and only anthology, The Best of the Horror Society 2013. As a matter of fact, the first story in Henry’s collection, “The Clown,” was the story of his that I selected for my anthology.

This Way Lies Madness Dave Jeffery & Lee Murray, eds. Flame Tree Collections (October 14, 2025) 416 pgs. Reviewed by Carson Buckingham It’s a crying shame that there isn’t an Academy Award for anthologies, because This Way Lies Madness surely deserves one, but I guess it will have to settle for the Booker Prize, which it abundantly deserves. This is the best, most tightly written anthology that I have read in a long, long time…maybe ever.

Scaring and Daring: A Horror Writers Association Anthology Eric J. Guignard, ed. Harper Collins Children’s Books (August 12, 2025) 297 pgs. Reviewed by Carson Buckingham Anthologist extraordinaire, Eric J. Guignard, has done it again with this exemplary compilation of intriguing takes on classic literature, which may be read by children and adults alike, each group taking something different away from it.

The Best Horror of the Year, Vol. 17 Edited by Ellen Datlow Night Shade Books (late 2025) Reviewed by Mario Guslandi Legendary horror editor Ellen Datlow is back with yet another “year’s best,” an annual treat for any horror lover. As customary, Datlow not only provides a selection of her favorite short stories that appeared in print during the previous year, but conveys a massive amount of information about anything concerning the horror area.

Darkness 102:  Advanced Lessons Were Learned Jonathan Reddoch, Elizabeth Suggs (eds.) Collective Tales Publishing (August 30, 2025), 102 pages Reviewed by Carson Buckingham Darkness 102 is an anthology of one hundred two 102-word tales on the theme of “lessons learned.” Let me say at the outset that I have a great deal of respect for those who can convey an entire story in only 102 words.

13 Ghastly Tales B.D. Prince Ghastly Press (October 7, 2025), 313 pgs. Reviewed by Carson Buckingham One of the things I love about 13 Ghastly Tales is the versatility. In this book, we have sci-fi, horror, paranormal, Native American mythos, and serial killer stories—there is something for everyone. I always learn something new when reading B. D. Prince’s work, as his research is impeccable.

SuperNOIRtural Tales Ian Rogers Burning Effigy Press (October 2025) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham First, I must say that I am always delighted to read anything by Ian Rogers. His writing is nothing short of brilliant, and I never feel anything but honored to review his work. SuperNOIRtural Tales is no exception. This is a collection of six stories, of which I am hard-pressed to find a favorite, as they are all so beautifully written.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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