Bedtime Stories for the Criminally Insane (and poetry)

Shawn Bailey presents a collection that merges short horror narratives with dark poetry. This first anthology by Bailey invites readers into unsettling scenarios involving supernatural and psychological terror. The work examines fragile realities through tales of sentient architecture, religious removal, and malevolent entities. One story features a scarecrow that bends reality to its will, while another describes a hospital offering outpatient surgery to remove religion. Readers encounter a Christmas tree in an orphanage corner that children avoid, and a house suffering from dementia that moves on its own. The collection also includes references to paralyzed victims of a dancing scarecrow, highlighting the boundary between mind and matter. The book is organized to intensify in darkness as it progresses toward the end. Bailey blends these disparate elements to create a cohesive atmosphere of dread. The inclusion of poetry alongside prose offers a varied reading experience for those interested in gothic and supernatural fiction. This volume suits readers who enjoy psychological horror and surreal imagery. It may not appeal to those seeking traditional jump scares or lighthearted entertainment. The content deals with heavy themes such as mental instability and existential fear. The structure ensures that the tone grows increasingly grim, challenging the reader's comfort zone. Each piece contributes to a broader exploration of what can exist within our understanding of reality.