Lucas M.

”Sourwood” doubles down on the haunted house formula while Frankenstein-ing its own monster with a delightful, gory, results.

Uketsu takes their murder mystery puzzle novels concept to new heights with the intriguing “Strange Buildings.” However, the expanded scope feels more cumbersome compared to its predecessors.

“Grace” doesn’t have a particularly innovative story and occasionally falters in maintaining a coherent narrative. However, for those seeking a straightforward read that can dial up the tension, “Grace” is great choice.

While the early stories attempt to intrigue with a unique cosmic horror concept, the already tedious pace of “The King in Yellow” becomes a slog once Chambers abandons the concept midway through. Worse, the romantic stories that replace the horror elements are uninspired, even for the year 1895.

“The Truth of Carcosa” has the potential to be a modern cosmic horror classic. Instead, Rollins overextends their capabilities and delivers a clunky, frustrating, and disappointing experience.

“The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)” offers plenty of backstory on Raja’s gullible tale, making it both humorous and profound without feeling overwhelming.

Gory, violent, and darkly funny, “The Haar” is a strange but worthwhile read.

“Snake-Eater” starts as a slow burn with interesting characters. The last third, however, feels underdeveloped and rushed.

While it effectively depicts the experience of a teenage girl in high school, you’d be forgiven for skipping “Half His Age” as it clumsily handles it’s sensitive subject matter.

“Strange Pictures” is a fun, if scattered, cozy puzzle horror.

If you want a murder mystery and a cozy horror that, only sometimes veers into camp, then "Strange Houses" is for you.

”The Great Work” is a sweet story about acceptance, though not much else.

While continuing the series’ uneven pacing, “What Stalks the Deep” is a vast improvement over its predecessor and embraces a more jaded (and humorous) Alex Easton.

“The Children of Red Peak” burns brightly in the crowded elevated horror space by captivating readers with its addictive narrative and intricate character development.

“The Midnight Knock” masterfully weaves together cosmic horror, murder mystery, and dark comedy. What results is unique and captivating story that is as deeply heartwarming as it is terrifying.

“Seven Rabbits” pushes the boundaries of graphic violence, even going so far as to follow through with its gruesome nature. However, it continues the horror trend of depicting violence against women in a tired and, in several cases, tasteless manner.

“Ring Shout” is a fun, bloody, and pulpy afro sci-fi that could have used just little more story and character development.

“Frankenstein” provides a much richer and complex story of the iconic monster than the films of the 1930s. However, Shelly’s writing style is so dense and poorly paced, you’ll understand why the movies went for a much leaner story.

“Carmilla” is classic gothic horror that’s not afraid to embrace its queer narrative.

“The Last Trip” is an enjoyable enough thriller but doesn’t add anything new to an already crowded space.

“Incidents Around the House” uses a familiar premise to unleash an elevated horror narrative, latching itself onto the reader long after turning the lights back on.

If you can overcome Ken Williams’s unreliable, yet honest, narrator who is full of himself, “Not All Fairy Tales Have Happy Endings” is the closest we’ll likely ever get to a complete saga of Sierra On-Line.

“The Honjin Murders” is a delightful murder mystery novel that attempts, but does not fully succeed, in surpassing its predecessors.

“Camp Damascus,” despite its unrefined and unfocused nature (a pitfall of first-time authors), manages to cling itself to the reader with its compelling story.

“I Was A Teenage Slasher” blends homage and parody of the late 20th-century slasher films quite well It’s unfortunate that the slasher didn’t eliminate the tedious monologues that dragged this story along.