🦇 Vampires

Dead Ends and Sharp Bends: A Collection of Short Fiction

✍️ Angela Meadon
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$9.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of nine dark short stories featuring award-winning fiction and African legends.

This anthology gathers nine distinct tales under one cover, blending personal tragedy with supernatural horror. The standout piece, Her Harlequin Baby, won a specific competition in August 2015 for its ability to merge joy with horror. Other entries like Asanbosam utilize cultural folklore, while Hospital Letters From The Devil suggests institutional dread. The variety ensures readers encounter different types of fear, from the visceral pain of disease to the chilling presence of devils. Meadon’s style focuses on emotional impact rather than gore, making the horror feel grounded and real.

Key Themes
African vampire legend hospital correspondence tiger disease tie-in
Literary Context

The book includes Asanbosam, an African vampire legend, indicating a use of global folklore alongside Western horror tropes. The collection was published in 2015 by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, reflecting the era’s rise in independent digital publishing for niche horror genres.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Lauren Beukes · Junji Ito · Tananarive Due
🦇
Vampires
🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2015 📖 206 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781518889264

📝 Description: Dead Ends and Sharp Bends: A Collection of Short Fiction

Angela Meadon presents Dead Ends and Sharp Bends, a volume of nine dark fiction short stories. The collection features Her Harlequin Baby, which secured victory in the Inkitt End Game horror competition held in August 2015. This narrative explores the pain of a joyful moment turned horrific, drawing praise for its visceral and deeply human tone. Meadon’s work is known for conveying intense emotion within few words, creating endings that feel both heart-wrenching and inevitable. The anthology includes diverse tales such as Asanbosam, which draws upon an African vampire legend, and Khayalami. Readers will find Hospital Letters From The Devil, a title suggesting supernatural correspondence, alongside Tribulation. The collection also contains Intrepid Dawn, A Broken Rainbow, Havoc Unchained, and Praise. These stories range from the personal to the mythological, offering varied entry points into the genre. This book suits readers who appreciate concise, emotionally charged horror that blends human suffering with supernatural elements. It may not appeal to those seeking lengthy epics or lighthearted ghost stories. The inclusion of a tiger disease tie-in in one story adds a unique layer of fear and sadness. Meadon delivers compelling narratives that remain memorable for their stark realism mixed with the macabre.

💎 Our verdict on Dead Ends and Sharp Bends: A Collection of Short Fiction

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Angela Meadon delivers a potent anthology of nine dark tales that excel in conveying intense emotion within concise frames. The work stands out for its ability to merge visceral pain with supernatural dread, avoiding cheap shocks in favor of heart-wrenching inevitability. Stories like 'Her Harlequin Baby' demonstrate a masterful balance of joy and horror, while others draw on rich cultural folklore to create institutional or mythological fear. This collection is best suited for readers who prefer psychological depth over lengthy epics or lighthearted ghost stories. By focusing on the intersection of human tragedy and the macabre, Meadon creates a cohesive volume that feels both personal and universal, ensuring each narrative leaves a lasting, chilling impression.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who crave concise, emotionally charged horror that prioritizes human suffering alongside supernatural elements will find this collection deeply rewarding. The anthology appeals to those who appreciate grounded realism mixed with the macabre, offering varied entry points from personal tragedy to mythological dread. It is ideal for audiences seeking visceral impact without excessive gore, as the horror feels authentic and inevitable. Fans of African folklore and dark fantasy will enjoy the cultural depth, while lovers of psychological terror will appreciate the focus on emotional weight. The stories provide a unique blend of joy and horror, making them memorable for their stark realism and compelling narratives that linger long after reading.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Angela Meadon delivers a potent anthology of nine dark tales that excel in conveying intense emotion within concise frames. The work stands out for its ability to merge visceral pain with supernatural dread, avoiding cheap shocks in favor of heart-wrenching inevitability. Stories like 'Her Harlequin Baby' demonstrate a masterful balance of joy and horror, while others draw on rich cultural folklore to create institutional or mythological fear. This collection is best suited for readers who prefer psychological depth over lengthy epics or lighthearted ghost stories. By focusing on the intersection of human tragedy and the macabre, Meadon creates a cohesive volume that feels both personal and universal, ensuring each narrative leaves a lasting, chilling impression.

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