| Title | : | Who's Listening?: An Inky Bones Press Dark Decades Anthology (Inky Bones Press Dark Decades Anthology Collection Book 2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 100 |
| Publication | : | Published July 30, 2024 |
Let us show you what abominations are haunting the airwaves.
Tune in. You never know who’s listening.
Who's Listening?: An Inky Bones Press Dark Decades Anthology (Inky Bones Press Dark Decades Anthology Collection Book 2) Reviews
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This is an anthology of 5 short horror stories. My favorite was The Shadow Knows by Geri Copitch.
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“Who's Listening?” is one of the best collections of short stories I've ever read. Each story is an incredible read and I couldn't get enough!
A few thoughts on each story:
• “The Shadow Knows” by Geri Copitch
Trying my best not to reveal too much, but the fall (from pedestal, and otherwise...) was definitely hard! That message alone is incredibly thought-provoking.
• “Safe and Sound” by Robin Knabel.
The title of this story is so ironic (if you know you know!) and when it hit me, my jaw was on the floor. This piece made me have to sit quietly and think about my own anxieties for a moment.
• “Don't Fence Me In” by Mark McCallum
This story made me tear up. Not only is it horrifying, but it's also heart-wrenching. The main character's constant struggle with impossible decisions made it so corporeal; and that ending... My heart may never recover.
• “Kindred Spirits” by Matt McGee
This one sent a literal chill down my spine! To me, it was more feel-good horror but still anchored with real, tough emotions and/or tragedies. Someone only passing through your life, and knowing you will never see them again, but for the moment they were there, it was good – is a thought that comes through for me with this one.
• “Listen and They Will Come” by DW Milton
When getting what you want isn't actually what you want... I was also very fond of the references back to the weather; it helped make the vibe even more ominous!
• “The Spartan Warrior” by Kathy Sherwood
This story is a true testament to the unbeatability of the human spirit; even (especially) if it is difficult to keep going. (“But you're me, too.” – AMAZING!)
• “Gaping” by Kevin Stadt
Literally speechless! This one is utterly horrifying; it felt like I was watching (reading, lol) someone's nightmares turned reality. The title also stood out to me because of how perfect it is (again: if you know you know!)
Definite recommend to any horror and sci-fi fans who also struggle with billion-page books! -
Journey back to the golden age of radio with 'Who's Listening?', an anthology that blends suspense and horror to create a captivating experience. With tales that explore the dark side of radio, this collection masterfully pays homage to the era while delivering fresh and innovative horror. The historical authenticity adds to the terror, offering a unique glimpse into the fears of the past that continue to echo in our present. A must-read for fans of horror and historical fiction, this anthology is a testament to the talents of its contributors and is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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'Who's Listening?', the second of the six-volume Dark Decades anthology series by Inky Bones, contains seven stories, all belonging to the common theme of horror inspired by the radio broadcasts of the 1940’s, "when radio ruled," as the editor puts it in the introduction. Indeed, each story cleverly develops within the set theme, and, presumably thanks to the editor, they all end up being widely different from each other. Thematically and conceptually, the tales are wildly original, hugely enjoyable, and well-worth reading whether you're a short story enthusiast or not. I myself am a sucker for anthologies of this kind, and was certainly not disappointed!
- The anthology opens with “The Shadow Knows” by Geri Copitch. It's about the radio show of "The Shadow," a character surely lots of people still recognize, mostly from other media since then. The theme is domestic abuse, but the story grows into a short tale of old-fashioned justice and supernatural vigilantism. This was one of my two favorite stories.
- The second story is the editor's own contribution: in “Safe and Sound” Robin Knabel offers a creepy tale of a family agreeing to stay overnight in a bomb shelter; the family has been selected to test a fallout bunker. Claustrophobic panic ensues when the bunker's radio starts acting up in totally weird ways! This one has also a great ending, and it was my second favorite story.
- The third story, “Don't Fence Me In” by Mark McCallum, is about the first broadcast of a radio show; unfortunately, the broadcast has certain undesirable consequences and it all goes wrong almost immediately. Another story with a great ending!
- “Kindred Spirits” by Matt McGee is a contemporary ghost story about 1940s sound media, really well done; though predictable, it still manages to pull off a chilling ending.
- “Listen and They Will Come” by DW Milton delivers exactly what it promises in the title. In a word, aliens! A very entertaining short worth breezing through!
- Kathy Sherwood's “The Spartan Warrior” is a rather quirky, if not downright bizarre little tale about a Spartan tube radio, good wine, and dying. The ending was quite emotional and moving.
- The anthology's closing story is “Gaping” by Kevin Stadt, a disturbing creature feature. I'm unsure about its relation to the book's theme, but it's a riveting story of little girls vanishing from their home in a farm and the father trying to understand what's happening. I enjoyed it a lot.
It's very easy to appreciate every single one of the stories: they're all quick, fun reads, with delightfully surprising conclusions. Recommended!
