Stories We Tell After Midnight

Name: Stories We Tell After Midnight
Price: 12.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781696935166

✍️ Jane Hawley

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$12.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A horror anthology featuring Jane Hawley's story about an ancient Duchess and her orangery.

This collection gathers short fiction from various authors under the Crone Girls Press banner. The stories range from fae encounters to domestic hauntings, creating a cohesive yet varied reading experience. Hawley’s contribution stands out for its elegant dread, while other entries like "Gatekeepers" and "Gobbl'uns" offer different flavors of terror. The book does not rely on shock value but instead builds tension through careful storytelling and atmospheric detail. It serves as a compact introduction to the press’s style, blending traditional horror tropes with fresh perspectives from debut writers.

Key Themes

fae folklore domestic hauntings psychological dread

Literary Context

Published in 2019 by Independently Published, this work sits within the contemporary indie horror scene. It reflects a trend of small presses curating niche anthologies that highlight diverse voices in supernatural fiction. The collection appeals to readers familiar with gothic traditions and modern urban legends, bridging classic horror themes with new storytelling approaches.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Shirley Jackson · Neil Gaiman · M.R. James · Catherynne M. Valente

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Independently Published 📅 2019 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781696935166

📝 Description: Stories We Tell After Midnight

Jane Hawley’s collection Stories We Tell After Midnight presents a curated array of horror and supernatural tales. The volume opens with an introduction by Rachel A. Brune before moving into individual narratives that explore dark folklore and psychological dread. Hawley contributes the story "The Orangery," which features an ancient Duchess inviting guests to tour her greenhouse, blending gothic atmosphere with subtle menace. The anthology includes works by established genre writers and newcomers alike. Readers will encounter J. Summerset’s "Mirrors," where a changeling binds a young girl to glass, and Nicholas Belardes’ "Kitchen Spirits," which brings creatures from wrong zip codes into domestic spaces. Other stories include Adam N. Leonard’s "Enter the Wolf" and Christy Mann’s reinterpretation of "Uncle Charlie." The collection draws on traditions of fae folklore, ghostly vengeance, and urban legend. This book suits readers who appreciate short-form horror that relies on atmosphere and twist endings rather than gore. It may not appeal to those seeking long-form narratives or explicit content. The stories are organized by author contribution, allowing for distinct tonal shifts between entries. Hawley’s inclusion highlights her role in this specific press’s output, offering a glimpse into the Crone Girls Press aesthetic where shadows hold secrets and the moon avoids certain deeds.

💎 Our verdict on Stories We Tell After Midnight

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This anthology succeeds by building tension through atmospheric detail rather than relying on shock value. Hawley’s contribution, 'The Orangery,' exemplifies this approach with elegant dread and gothic menace. The collection offers a diverse range of terror, from fae encounters to urban legends, maintaining a cohesive tone despite varying authorial voices. It is best suited for readers who appreciate short-form horror that emphasizes psychological depth and twist endings over gore. The work effectively blends traditional horror tropes with fresh perspectives, creating an engaging experience for those who value subtle storytelling and dark folklore.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who prefer short-form horror that relies on atmosphere and twist endings rather than gore will find this collection rewarding. It suits those interested in dark folklore, domestic hauntings, and the subtle menace of the supernatural. The anthology serves as a compact introduction to Crone Girls Press’s aesthetic, blending traditional tropes with fresh perspectives from debut writers. Those who enjoy elegant dread and careful storytelling over explicit content or long-form narratives will appreciate the distinct tonal shifts between entries. It is ideal for fans of gothic atmosphere and psychological terror who seek a cohesive yet varied reading experience.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

This anthology succeeds by building tension through atmospheric detail rather than relying on shock value. Hawley’s contribution, 'The Orangery,' exemplifies this approach with elegant dread and gothic menace. The collection offers a diverse range of terror, from fae encounters to urban legends, maintaining a cohesive tone despite varying authorial voices. It is best suited for readers who appreciate short-form horror that emphasizes psychological depth and twist endings over gore. The work effectively blends traditional horror tropes with fresh perspectives, creating an engaging experience for those who value subtle storytelling and dark folklore.