Always a Dancer and Other Stories by Steve Lockley

Always a Dancer and Other Stories Reviews

• 
  Carrie

  I've made no secret that I am a fan of Novellas and Novelettes, but I've never been a huge fan of collections of shorts. I love a novel first and foremost, but in this fast-paced and busy life I lead I do not always have time for a novel every few days, as my preferred reading style is to sit in my comfy leather recliner and read for a few hours straight – if only I could do this every day (only reading a few pages a day never gives me the chance to really feel the book). This is where the short story format grabs my attention. I can read them whilst eating lunch, or in the morning over a coffee. It's certainly preferable than scrolling through other people's lives on social media.
  
  I vaguely met Steve at Bristol Horror whilst he chatted with Graeme Reynolds. I did feel somewhat fan girl, particularly with his Doctor Who connections. I saw him again at Fantasy Con and we exchanged polite smiles and nods of the head, fan girl firmly restrained by this point. If his social media is anything to go by, he seems a very nice chap, people speak well of him, so I was drawn to giving his book a go. Added bonus, it's printed by Adele from Fox Spirit books. Fox Spirit incidentally produce well-written work. If you enjoy something more professional, where this form of art is at its peak, then I highly recommend her award-winning small press.
  
  It is a pleasure to read from different styles of horror. Horror is not always ghouls, flesh-ripping monsters or torture porn without meaning. Horror can be real life, what scares us, moves our soul, pulls at our heart strings or adds to our intelligence. Steve Lockley is the type of writer who falls into this category. Always a Dancer and Other Stories is eloquently written, his words flow across the pages and before I knew it, I was half way through.
  
  Each story begins with a short paragraph from Lockley, I enjoyed this, seeing where it was first published or naming the stories after songs.
  
  The book starts with Always a Dancer. This short led me into a false sense of security. The story of a love triangle. It was beautifully written and reminded me of a meme I had seen on Facebook recently.
  
  “The bigger the issue, the smaller you write. Remember that. You don't write about the horrors of war. No. You write about a kid's burnt socks lying on the road. You pick the smallest manageable part of the big thing, and you work off the resonance.”
  - Richard Price
  
  However, it was a light read, which meant I was hardly ready for the next – Funny Weather. Funny Weather is the story of a boy named Tim, and his interest in Gypsies. Set in 1963, I saw and heard every line, the heavy tick of Gran's clock, the creaking gate, the starlings, the bright red headscarf, It seemed as though I could smell the summer air. Utter brilliance! Quite a change from the first story, but it sets the pace well for what comes next.
  
  Wassailing tells the story of a recent divorcee from the city, who purchases a cottage with adjoining orchard in the country. I loved this story, as we have this custom where I live. In fact, I was sat outside whilst reading this, my background music - the swallows that nest here every year. This really added ambiance to my read. I am just pleased Wassailing around here, is not done in this particular way.
  
  Life in a Northern Town – this was my absolute favorite, but then I love a good Werewolf story. I cannot believe Lockley has been sitting on this little gem. Told from Jack's point of view, I felt the kids fear, their only place of safety the local church! Excellent read that had my heart racing. Nice little twist at the end, this would make a fantastic Novella.
  
  The First Time – weaves the tale of a boys first sexual encounter. Real, spooky and a day that would come back to haunt him.
  
  This Masquerade was a very short but sweet tale that I felt should have been longer. Junior Doctors enjoying a New Years Eve party in two short pages did not give me feel enough for the story.
  
  Fairground Attraction – Alan is a young man with a birthmark until Trish shows him a special mirror. Quirky little read.
  
  The Mermaid Tears – Not a favorite read out of all these excellently written stories, however, it has enough of a turn of events to keep it's rightful place within Lockley's collection.
  
  The Long Wait – Not going to lie, this made me laugh. Zombie erotica, that is all I will say.
  
  When Two Hearts Beat in Time – A man trapped in a marriage with a woman, when he meets young Henri, their hearts, “every now and then fall in time.”
  
  The Last Frost was sad, poignant and quite creepy. A ghost story surrounding loss.
  
  Life and Life Only – what a wonderfully weird fairy tale about the circle of life.
  
  Crow – I don't like Crows, in particular ones called The “Corpse Bird”. This story was incredibly sad, it made me cry, which I might add is not the look I was going for at work, a warning for waterproof mascara would have been useful.
  
  Sea Monkeys – was my least favorite. From the washed-up body to the detective, great attention to detail went into the caricaturisation, but it needed more padding at the end, as I felt it came to an immediate stop when it had the potential to be so much more
  First posted on horrorblog.co.uk
  
  Imaginary friends - Mr. Bobo gave me terrible dreams, so thanks for that Lockley. I didn't see the end coming, this really is a dark and horrific tale of childhood imaginary friends.
  
  Don't leave me down here - tells us the story of miners becoming trapped. Another beautifully written but incredibly sad tale.
  
  Lockley excels at descriptions of ordinary moments that make up life. A skilled master craftsman, which have been honed well. One, whom has put the time and effort in to learn his craft and it pays off. Absolutely refreshing change to read work from someone who has limitless talent. Lockley has delivered some of the loveliest writing I have seen in a while. You will not be disappointed in this superb collection.
• 
  Ann Thomas

  Great collection. Highly recommended.