Keepers

Name: Keepers
Price: 19.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781700945594

✍️ Gary Strilio

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$19.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of short horror stories by Gary Strilio featuring zombies and domestic dread.

Strilio’s Keepers offers a diverse array of frightening scenarios for readers who prefer concise storytelling. The narratives shift from military survival against an unusual zombie threat to intimate family horrors. One tale examines a mother’s suspicious behavior toward her children, while another focuses on a boxer’s desperate fight. The inclusion of "The Waiting Room" adds a layer of bureaucratic nightmare to the supernatural elements. Each story stands alone, allowing the reader to experience different types of terror without continuity obligations. The author uses simple premises to build tension quickly. This approach makes the book accessible for readers who want quick scares. It does not require prior knowledge of horror tropes to enjoy the individual plots.

Key Themes

zombie plague domestic isolation supernatural waiting room

Literary Context

Published independently in 2019, this work sits within the modern tradition of short-form horror fiction. It reflects contemporary interests in psychological dread and apocalyptic anxiety. The stories draw on classic horror elements like zombies and purgatory but present them through a modern lens.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Stephen King · Joe Hill · Clive Barker · Shirley Jackson

☣️

Apocalyptic

🏛 Independently Published 📅 2019 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781700945594

📝 Description: Keepers

Gary Strilio presents a collection of short horror stories in Keepers. The author draws on traditions of supernatural fiction and zombie lore to create bone-chilling narratives. The book is organized as a series of distinct tales rather than a continuous novel. Each story explores different fears, from apocalyptic scenarios to domestic dread. The collection includes "The Last Zombie," where Commander William Tucker and his men face an atypical plague after returning from a hostage situation on an aircraft carrier. In "Avatar of Woe," Lilah isolates her children in their home, raising questions about whether she is protecting them or harboring something sinister. "Forget Death" follows Tara as she confronts a long-dreaded day. Other stories include "The Forever Boxer," involving a father fighting for his daughter's life, and "The Waiting Room," where Bauk searches for his wife after a car accident while dealing with strange demands from others in the room. This book suits readers who enjoy standalone horror tales that blend military tension with psychological unease. It may not appeal to those seeking long-form novels or historical gothic settings. Strilio’s work focuses on immediate, visceral fear rather than complex world-building. The stories rely on sharp twists and unsettling premises to engage the reader. Fans of short fiction collections will find this volume offers a varied range of terrifying situations.

💎 Our verdict on Keepers

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Gary Strilio’s Keepers delivers a potent mix of supernatural fiction and zombie lore through distinct, unconnected tales. The collection excels in building rapid tension using simple premises, effectively shifting between military survival and domestic dread. Stories like 'The Last Zombie' and 'Avatar of Woe' showcase the author's ability to create visceral fear without relying on complex world-building. The inclusion of bureaucratic nightmares adds unique variety to the standard horror fare. While it may not suit readers seeking historical gothic settings or continuous narratives, it appeals strongly to fans of standalone short fiction. The work’s strength lies in its sharp twists and immediate engagement, making it a compelling choice for those who prioritize unsettling premises and concise storytelling over expansive plot development.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking immediate, visceral thrills will find value in this collection of standalone narratives. It is ideal for those who prefer concise storytelling without the commitment of long-form novels. The book offers a diverse array of terrifying scenarios, ranging from military survival against an unusual zombie threat to intimate family horrors involving suspicious maternal behavior. Fans of psychological unease and dark fantasy will appreciate the blend of supernatural elements with bureaucratic nightmares. Those looking for accessible plots that require no prior knowledge of horror tropes will enjoy the sharp twists and unsettling premises. It serves as a perfect entry point for quick scares, delivering bone-chilling experiences through simple yet effective narrative structures that prioritize tension over complexity.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Gary Strilio’s Keepers delivers a potent mix of supernatural fiction and zombie lore through distinct, unconnected tales. The collection excels in building rapid tension using simple premises, effectively shifting between military survival and domestic dread. Stories like 'The Last Zombie' and 'Avatar of Woe' showcase the author's ability to create visceral fear without relying on complex world-building. The inclusion of bureaucratic nightmares adds unique variety to the standard horror fare. While it may not suit readers seeking historical gothic settings or continuous narratives, it appeals strongly to fans of standalone short fiction. The work’s strength lies in its sharp twists and immediate engagement, making it a compelling choice for those who prioritize unsettling premises and concise storytelling over expansive plot development.