🩸 Horror Fiction

In Shadows Written: An Anthology Of Modern Horror

✍️ William Burton McCormick
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$13.95
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

An anthology of twelve modern horror stories by thirteen award-winning authors.

The book gathers diverse voices to explore the breadth of contemporary horror. McCormick selects tales that range from the mundane tragedy of blunt reality to the blackest depths of imagination. The content includes a lark gone wrong, a confused dreamer, and a disturbing addiction. These subjects are presented through the lens of writers who have achieved recognition in their field. The structure allows for a comparison of styles, from dark comedy to horrifically dark scenarios. It serves as a snapshot of the genre's evolution during its early period.

Key Themes
disintegrating marriage frustrated ghost alien hypnotism
Literary Context

This anthology reflects the state of horror fiction in the early twenty-first century. Published in 2017, it captures the genre's expansion into new territories like dieselpunk and modern psychological dread. The collection highlights the shift toward blending traditional supernatural elements with contemporary societal anxieties and dark humor.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Stephen King · Caitlín R. Kiernan · Ramsey Campbell
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2017 📖 196 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781546580508

📝 Description: In Shadows Written: An Anthology Of Modern Horror

William Burton McCormick curates a collection of twelve horror narratives that probe the darker corners of the early twenty-first century. The anthology brings together thirteen award-winning writers to present tales that oscillate between dark comedy and grim reality. Readers encounter a disintegrating marriage, rampaging Pomeranians, and unwelcome tourists alongside more supernatural elements like a frustrated ghost and communication from beyond. The stories also feature alien hypnotism and transformation within a dieselpunk world, offering a diverse spectrum of fear. This volume combines previously unpublished works with pieces reprinted from short fiction markets. It appeals to those who enjoy the wide reach of modern horror fiction, particularly fans of the gothic and supernatural traditions. The collection does not suit readers seeking only traditional ghost stories or those who prefer lighthearted genre fiction. Instead, it offers a blend of tragic reality and imaginative dread. The inclusion of a mercurial stray and misplaced love adds emotional weight to the horrific scenarios. These narratives are designed to linger in the mind long after the final page is turned, providing a stark look at human vulnerability and fear.

💎 Our verdict on In Shadows Written: An Anthology Of Modern Horror

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
McCormick curates a compelling array of twelve narratives that successfully oscillate between dark comedy and grim reality, showcasing the versatility of contemporary horror. The collection excels in its diversity, juxtaposing mundane tragedies like rampaging Pomeranians with supernatural dread such as alien hypnotism in a dieselpunk world. This structural variety allows readers to appreciate the evolution of fear across different stylistic approaches. The inclusion of previously unpublished works alongside reprinted pieces offers a fresh perspective on familiar tropes. While it may not suit those preferring lighthearted tales or strictly traditional ghost stories, it is highly recommended for enthusiasts of psychological and cosmic horror. The emotional weight of stories involving misplaced love and disintegrating marriages adds significant depth to the horrific scenarios presented.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This collection is essential for readers who appreciate the breadth of modern horror fiction, particularly those drawn to the intersection of gothic tradition and supernatural elements. It appeals to audiences seeking a stark examination of human vulnerability through a lens of tragic reality and imaginative dread. The anthology is ideal for fans of dark comedy and grim scenarios who enjoy comparing distinct narrative styles. By presenting tales that range from disintegrating marriages to alien hypnotism, it offers a diverse spectrum of fear. Those who value emotional weight within horrific contexts, such as misplaced love or frustrated ghosts, will find this volume deeply resonant. It is not for those seeking lighthearted genre fiction but rather for readers ready to confront the darker corners of existence through award-winning perspectives.

⭐ 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

McCormick curates a compelling array of twelve narratives that successfully oscillate between dark comedy and grim reality, showcasing the versatility of contemporary horror. The collection excels in its diversity, juxtaposing mundane tragedies like rampaging Pomeranians with supernatural dread such as alien hypnotism in a dieselpunk world. This structural variety allows readers to appreciate the evolution of fear across different stylistic approaches. The inclusion of previously unpublished works alongside reprinted pieces offers a fresh perspective on familiar tropes. While it may not suit those preferring lighthearted tales or strictly traditional ghost stories, it is highly recommended for enthusiasts of psychological and cosmic horror. The emotional weight of stories involving misplaced love and disintegrating marriages adds significant depth to the horrific scenarios presented.

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