If you like creepy short stories, then you might like to try my recent book (and secocond collection)
– A Short Walk and other dark short stories
Six more creepy tales of murders past, experiments most foul, ghosts that won’t rest and a city that isn’t quite what it seems. Even the dead won’t rest when there is a truth to tell…
And you can read two of those stories here for free if you are looking for a short creepy read for the weekend.
And here is the first collection too if you like that sort of thing, also with a couple of stories from it available to read for free if you find yourself in need of a creepy read this weekend.
My new book of short stories is available if you like a creepy dark read. You can read one of them here if you find yourself having a spare few moments.
It is here, my new book of short stories I have been saying is coming, has now arrived. Hopefully these ones will get feedback as good as the first book, but it’s always a bit nerve-racking putting something new out there.
Sometimes you hear something that makes you super proud of yourself. This line made my day –
“In many ways these tales remind me of programs like The Outer Limits or The Twilight Zone, stories with bizarre twists in everyday situations”
The whole review is awesome to be honest, only a snippet of it below, and all the reviews received for my short stories so far have been very complimentary. Working on a second collection at the moment, hopefully they will be as good as the first.
If you are looking for something creepy to read, maybe some of the review comments for Under the Apple Tree and other dark short stories may help you to decide if this book is for you ~
“Six creepy stories that are guaranteed to lodge themselves firmly under the skin. Each story invites the reader into a world where you are certain that from the very first word, things are not going to end with a cheery musical number. They are ‘dark’ stories for a reason. A quick read for those looking for a chilling end to the evening, each tale comes with its own twist. Personal favourites include ‘Doctors Visit’ and ‘Clocking Off’.
“Thoroughly enjoyed these short stories reminiscent of Roald Dahl’s ‘Tales of the unexpected’. Particular praise for ‘Clocking Off’
“Although the stories are set in present day, the author’s writing style is reminiscent of classic horror like Stevenson or Shelley, which can feel odd at times but carries the stories well. And, similarly to the classics, there’s not a lot of gore or curse words, which makes this collection enjoyable for fans of all ages. In a way, Under the Apple Tree: And other dark short stories remind me of scary stories you tell around the campfire or are passed around during sleepover parties, and like those stories these tales stay with you for a long time.”
Having some great names mentioned there in the reviews really was a treat, the whole point of writing is that people enjoy reading it. For a slice of what is in there – please take a moment to enjoy ‘Clocking Off’
Under the Apple Tree and other dark short stories.
I have been very lucky to get some awesome reviews for my first book of short stories, so thought I would share a few with you. They can also be found on Amazon with the book (link at bottom of post) and of course just in case anyone is looking for a creepy read to fill the time 😉
Reviewer 1 – Six creepy stories that are guaranteed to lodge themselves firmly under the skin. Each story invites the reader into a world where you are certain that from the very first word, things are not going to end with a cheery musical number. They are ‘dark’ stories for a reason. A quick read for those looking for a chilling end to the evening, each tale comes with its own twist. Personal favourites include ‘Doctors Visit’ and ‘Clocking Off’.
Reviewer 2 – Thoroughly enjoyed these short stories reminiscent of Roald Dahl’s ‘Tales of the unexpected’. Particular praise for ‘Clocking Off’
Reviewer 3 – All the stories here have their own flavour. Another review mentioned Tales of the Unexpected and I’d say that’s on the money. Imaginative, well-written, I’m looking forward to more from this author.
Reviewer 4 – Although the stories are set in present day, the author’s writing style is reminiscent of classic horror like Stevenson or Shelley, which can feel odd at times but carries the stories well. And, similarly to the classics, there’s not a lot of gore or curse words, which makes this collection enjoyable for fans of all ages. In a way, Under the Apple Tree: And other dark short stories remind me of scary stories you tell around the campfire or are passed around during sleepover parties, and like those stories these tales stay with you for a long time.
The full review for No.4 is much longer and covers each story separately, but this last paragraph made me smile very much.
I can only hope that people get as much enjoyment from reading my stories as I did all those years ago reading every one else’s.
This was an absolute favourite of mine growing up by Joan Aiken, the stories are wonderfully illustrated by Jan Pienkowski, which made it stay in mind long after the book was put down. Both writer and illustrator have inspired me very much with this collection. The whole book is a delight, and I can only hope to bring this kind of enjoyment to a reader with my own books one day.
These stories are all Eastern European fairy tales with a strange surreal quality to them, all vividly brought to life by a great writing style and silhouette style artwork to accompany.
As you would expect from original fairytales, there is a dark twist or theme running through them including a queen being bricked up alive in a wall!
I recommend this if you like a bit of dark, strange and the surreal.
The Kingdom Under the Sea and other stories by Joan Aiken and illustrated by Jan Pienkowski.
It’s been just over a year now since I released my first book of short stories – the second one is half finished, but this year has really hampered creating for me. Under the Apple Tree and other dark short stories came from various ideas I had been mulling over for decades and two of the tales actually are adapted from real life experiences shared with me by someone close. So it was really exciting to receive a good review, then another and now I have six, all of them positive. One review mentions being reminded of The Outer Limits and The Twilight Zone, and another actually likens my stories to Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl. That in itself is an achievement! I loved reading Roald Dahl growing up, have read my fair share of creepy stories and watched all three of those shows. Some of those horror tales obviously left their mark on me. I can only hope to do the same for someone else.
Part of one review – “Although the stories are set in present day, the author’s writing style is reminiscent of classic horror like Stevenson or Shelley, which can feel odd at times but carries the stories well. And, similarly to the classics, there’s not a lot of gore or curse words, which makes this collection enjoyable for fans of all ages. In a way, Under the Apple Tree: And other dark short stories remind me of scary stories you tell around the campfire or are passed around during sleepover parties, and like those stories these tales stay with you for a long time”
MKW Publishing 