A Tiding of Magpies

Name: A Tiding of Magpies
Price: 12.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780995464186

✍️ Pete W Sutton

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$12.00

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of twenty-five dark tales structured around magpie counting traditions.

Sutton organizes his work by using the superstition of counting magpies as the guiding principle for each story. This approach allows for a wide range of tones and lengths within a single volume. The inclusion of diverse formats, from flash fiction to longer pieces, ensures that the reader encounters varied pacing and narrative depth. Each tale contributes to the overall atmosphere of unease and wonder, reflecting the dual nature of the magpie omen itself. The collection demonstrates Sutton’s ability to evoke fear through subtle means rather than overt gore.

Key Themes

magpie superstition robot butler land of stories

Literary Context

Published by Far Horizons in 2024, this collection sits within the contemporary horror and supernatural fiction landscape. Its recognition as a British Fantasy Award shortlistee highlights its standing in the genre's current critical discourse.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Ramsey Campbell · M.R. James · Shirley Jackson · John Ajvide Lindqvist

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Far Horizons 📅 2024 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780995464186

📝 Description: A Tiding of Magpies

Pete W Sutton presents a collection of twenty-five dark tales in A Tiding of Magpies, structured around the traditional counting rhyme associated with these birds. The volume spans various lengths, from brief flash fiction to more extended narratives, all designed to entertain and unnerve the reader simultaneously. Sutton’s distinct voice is evident throughout this work, which has earned recognition including a shortlist for the British Fantasy Award for Best Collection. The stories cover diverse subjects and scenarios. In Not Alone, a character wakes to unsettling noises that remain unmentionable. Five for Silver takes readers on a journey to the land of stories. I, Butler explores the surprising role of a robot butler within its narrative. It Falls, identified as a competition winner, concludes the collection with a unique premise. These tales draw on gothic and supernatural traditions, utilizing the magpie superstition as a structural framework rather than a literal plot device. This book suits readers who appreciate short fiction that blends horror with whimsical or surreal elements. Those seeking long-form novels or traditional ghost stories may find the varied lengths and thematic focus less appealing. The collection offers a compact yet potent reading experience for fans of speculative fiction who enjoy concise, impactful storytelling.

💎 Our verdict on A Tiding of Magpies

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Sutton demonstrates remarkable versatility by organizing twenty-five dark tales around the traditional magpie counting rhyme, using it as a structural framework rather than a literal plot device. This approach allows for a wide range of tones and lengths, from flash fiction to extended narratives, ensuring varied pacing throughout. The collection excels in evoking fear through subtle means, blending gothic and supernatural traditions with surreal elements. It is best suited for readers who enjoy concise, impactful storytelling within the horror and dark fantasy genres, offering a potent atmospheric experience that prioritizes unease and wonder over traditional ghost story conventions.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate the potency of short-form speculative fiction will find this collection particularly rewarding. It is ideal for those who enjoy stories that blend horror with whimsical or surreal elements, offering a compact yet impactful reading experience. The book suits individuals who prefer subtle evocations of fear over overt gore, allowing them to engage with varied tones and narrative depths in brief, concentrated bursts. Fans of the British Fantasy Award shortlisted tradition will appreciate Sutton’s distinct voice and his ability to maintain an atmosphere of unease through structural ingenuity rather than explicit violence.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Sutton demonstrates remarkable versatility by organizing twenty-five dark tales around the traditional magpie counting rhyme, using it as a structural framework rather than a literal plot device. This approach allows for a wide range of tones and lengths, from flash fiction to extended narratives, ensuring varied pacing throughout. The collection excels in evoking fear through subtle means, blending gothic and supernatural traditions with surreal elements. It is best suited for readers who enjoy concise, impactful storytelling within the horror and dark fantasy genres, offering a potent atmospheric experience that prioritizes unease and wonder over traditional ghost story conventions.