🩸 Horror Fiction

Scribbles and Scrawls

✍️ Bethany Votaw
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 sixteen short stories exploring supernatural horror and psychological thrills.

Bethany Votaw’s debut work offers sixteen distinct narratives that focus on the terrifying aspects of daily existence. The book draws upon the traditions of supernatural horror and psychological thrillers to present scenarios where normalcy is disrupted by sinister forces. Key encounters include a devil appearing in a coffee shop and an investigation into the motives of the Night Man. The collection also features strange creatures and events that hide just beneath the visible world. This structure allows Votaw to explore different facets of fear without relying on a single continuous plot. The stories are designed for readers who enjoy mind-bending twists and psychological depth. Those looking for traditional gothic settings or lengthy narratives might find this format less engaging. The work prioritizes immediate unease over long-term character development, creating a sharp and unsettling reading experience.

Key Themes
supernatural horror psychological thrills mind-bending twists
Literary Context

Published in 2021 by Free Bird Press, this collection sits within the modern landscape of American short fiction. It appeals to readers interested in contemporary supernatural and psychological genres. The work reflects current trends in horror that focus on everyday settings rather than historical or isolated locations.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Stephen King · Algernon Blackwood · Daphne du Maurier
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Free Bird Press 📅 2021 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781736563632

📝 Description: Scribbles and Scrawls

Bethany Votaw presents a collection of sixteen short stories that explore the monstrous elements hidden within everyday life. The author draws on supernatural horror and psychological thriller traditions to create narratives that reveal uncomfortable realities lurking beneath the surface of normalcy. Readers will encounter a devil in a coffee shop setting and investigate the true intentions of the Night Man. These tales also feature strange creatures and events that remain just out of sight, inviting those who enjoy mind-bending twists into a descent toward madness. This debut collection by Votaw is organized to guide the reader through various scenarios where darkness intersects with the mundane. The work suits fans of supernatural horror and psychological thrills who appreciate narrative twists. It may not appeal to readers seeking traditional gothic atmospheres or long-form novels, as it focuses on concise, unsettling vignettes rather than extended plots. The stories rely on the tension between the ordinary world and the sinister forces that inhabit it. Votaw’s background in crafting these specific types of tales allows for a cohesive exploration of fear that feels immediate and personal. The collection does not offer comfort or resolution but instead leaves the reader with lingering questions about the nature of the monsters surrounding us. Each story stands as an independent entry into this world of psychological unease, building a cumulative effect of dread through its varied encounters with the unknown.

💎 Our verdict on Scribbles and Scrawls

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Votaw’s debut collection effectively merges supernatural horror with psychological thriller elements to explore the monstrous within the mundane. By focusing on sixteen distinct narratives, the author creates a cohesive exploration of fear that feels both immediate and personal. The work shines in its ability to reveal uncomfortable realities lurking beneath normalcy, utilizing tight vignettes to maximize tension. It suits readers who enjoy mind-bending twists and psychological depth, offering a sharp reading experience that prioritizes unease over resolution. While those seeking traditional gothic atmospheres or extended plots may find the format less engaging, fans of concise, unsettling tales will appreciate the descent toward madness. The collection successfully invites readers to question the nature of the sinister forces inhabiting their own visible world.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who crave immediate, visceral unease will find this collection particularly rewarding. Bethany Votaw excels at disrupting normalcy, forcing readers to confront sinister forces lurking just beneath the surface of everyday life. This book is ideal for those who appreciate mind-bending twists and psychological depth without the commitment of a long-form novel. It offers a sharp, unsettling experience that prioritizes atmosphere over comfort. Fans of supernatural horror and psychological thrillers will enjoy the variety of scenarios, from devilish encounters in coffee shops to investigations of mysterious entities like the Night Man. The format allows for a descent into madness through concise vignettes rather than slow-building plots, making it perfect for readers seeking lingering questions about the monsters surrounding us.

⭐ 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

Votaw’s debut collection effectively merges supernatural horror with psychological thriller elements to explore the monstrous within the mundane. By focusing on sixteen distinct narratives, the author creates a cohesive exploration of fear that feels both immediate and personal. The work shines in its ability to reveal uncomfortable realities lurking beneath normalcy, utilizing tight vignettes to maximize tension. It suits readers who enjoy mind-bending twists and psychological depth, offering a sharp reading experience that prioritizes unease over resolution. While those seeking traditional gothic atmospheres or extended plots may find the format less engaging, fans of concise, unsettling tales will appreciate the descent toward madness. The collection successfully invites readers to question the nature of the sinister forces inhabiting their own visible world.

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