Autumn Comes Slowly

David Kernot presents a compact collection of dark fiction that challenges the comfort of nighttime reading. This volume contains six short stories alongside a novella-length piece, totaling eight works designed to be consumed quickly yet leave a lasting impression. The text warns readers against sleeping in their beds after finishing these tales, particularly if they are alone or accompanied by others who might disturb their rest. The collection features the award-winning collaborative story Winds of Nzambi, written with David Conyers, which stands alongside Harry's Dead Poodle as Kernot’s darkest fiction to date. These narratives draw on gothic and supernatural traditions, focusing on unsettling scenarios that provoke physical discomfort in the reader. The stories are organized as bite-sized chunks, allowing for rapid consumption while maintaining a steady pace of dread. This structure suits those who prefer concise horror over sprawling epics but may unsettle readers seeking lighthearted entertainment or traditional comfort reads. Kernot’s work here relies on atmospheric tension rather than explicit gore to achieve its effects. The inclusion of a collaborative piece highlights his engagement with contemporary dark fiction circles. Readers looking for long-form narratives will find this volume lacking in scope, but those interested in concentrated doses of fear will appreciate the precision of each tale. The book does not offer resolution or comfort, leaving the reader to grapple with the lingering unease of the final pages.