When The Creatures Call

Name: When The Creatures Call
Price: 33.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9784824108173

✍️ Clark Roberts

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$33.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A large print collection of fifteen horror stories and four essays honoring fifty years of genre influence.

This volume gathers Roberts' work alongside tributes to past masters, focusing on specific horror archetypes. The text examines how traditional fears persist in modern settings, from Halloween rituals to cursed locations. Each story operates independently, allowing the reader to experience different facets of the supernatural. The inclusion of essays provides context for the stories' origins and influences. The large print format ensures readability without altering the content's dark tone or thematic depth.

Key Themes

Halloween traditions serial killers cursed locations

Literary Context

Published in 2021 by Next Chapter, this work reflects on horror voices from the previous half-century. It sits within the tradition of short story collections that honor genre predecessors while offering new narratives for contemporary readers interested in gothic and supernatural fiction.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Stephen King · Clive Barker · Shirley Jackson

🩸

Horror Fiction

🏛 Next Chapter 📅 2021 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9784824108173

📝 Description: When The Creatures Call

Clark Roberts presents a collection of fifteen short stories and four essays that pay homage to influential horror voices from the past fifty years. The volume includes tales such as "Traditions Lost," which depicts a small town disrupted by The Bad Man during Halloween, and "The Killers Never Leave Us," where serial killers torment a successful writer. Readers encounter "Marisa's Curse," featuring an elderly couple facing evil through a cursed golf hole, and "This is My Beach; This is Your Darkness," a narrative exploring regret and past shortcomings. The collection also features "The Dog Creek Coven," in which Roberts teams with fellow beastly writer Andy Rausch to deliver a story involving witches, werewolves, and a tenacious hitman. This large print edition utilizes a larger font for easier reading, making it accessible to those who prefer clearer typography. The book suits fans of classic horror tropes and supernatural fiction who appreciate the genre's history. It may not appeal to readers seeking original world-building or contemporary psychological thrillers outside the traditional horror framework. The structure relies on distinct narratives rather than a continuous plot, offering varied perspectives on fear and the supernatural within the established traditions of the field.

💎 Our verdict on When The Creatures Call

“

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Clark Roberts delivers a compelling homage to fifty years of horror history through fifteen short stories and four insightful essays. The collection excels in its exploration of traditional fears within contemporary frameworks, such as Halloween rituals and supernatural curses. Standout narratives like 'The Dog Creek Coven' blend witches, werewolves, and hitmen effectively, showcasing Roberts' versatility. The large print edition enhances accessibility, ensuring readability without diluting the atmospheric dread. While it may not satisfy those seeking original world-building or psychological thrillers outside traditional bounds, it is a strong recommendation for fans of gothic and cosmic horror who value genre heritage. It offers a curated journey through established tropes with dignity and respect for the past.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This volume is ideal for enthusiasts of classic horror tropes who appreciate the historical evolution of the supernatural genre. Readers will find value in the distinct narratives that offer varied perspectives on fear, ranging from small-town disruptions to cursed locations. The inclusion of essays provides essential context regarding the stories' origins and their debt to past masters. Furthermore, the large print format makes the text accessible for those who prefer clearer typography without compromising the dark tone or thematic depth. It serves as a tribute to influential horror voices, allowing fans to explore specific archetypes through independent tales that maintain the genre's established traditions while remaining engaging and readable.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Clark Roberts delivers a compelling homage to fifty years of horror history through fifteen short stories and four insightful essays. The collection excels in its exploration of traditional fears within contemporary frameworks, such as Halloween rituals and supernatural curses. Standout narratives like 'The Dog Creek Coven' blend witches, werewolves, and hitmen effectively, showcasing Roberts' versatility. The large print edition enhances accessibility, ensuring readability without diluting the atmospheric dread. While it may not satisfy those seeking original world-building or psychological thrillers outside traditional bounds, it is a strong recommendation for fans of gothic and cosmic horror who value genre heritage. It offers a curated journey through established tropes with dignity and respect for the past.