| Title | : | Dark Murmurs: A Compendium of Curiosities |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | Published October 8, 2022 |
Dark Murmurs: A Compendium of Curiosities Reviews
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Curiosities, indeed!
The dark atmosphere and overall unique creativity shines through the writing style and talents from each of the 15 author's.
Themes including: mental abuse, body dysmorphia, evil intentions, unrequited love, disturbing secrets, vampires, greed, demons, mistakes made, futuristic virtual control, dark fantasy, historical settings, mythology, conspiracy, failed experiments, cosmic horror, physical abuse, urban legends, revenge, psychological affects from abuse and isolation, creepy crawlies ( POV of a spiders life), teenagers plotting a great night of mayhem and fun to cast aside the feelings of being discarded by the world.
There is so much to ponder on throughout each of these stories. Some are heartbreaking at their core and some are laugh inducing while all being completely entertaining.
While I enjoyed every one of these, there were a few that really stood out:
Last Words by Richard Chizmar
Serial Numbers by Philip Fracassi
The Cobbler and the Golem by Catherine McCarthy
It Takes A Village by Josh Darling
One Every Year by Jill Girardi
Shadow of Sanity by J. Snow
A very 5 star worthy anthology!
A shout out and a very kind thank you to the lovely and talented, Jill Girardi, for putting this on my radar to read and review! -
As a contributor I won't rate, but I want to say how much I enjoyed each and every story. Proud of my TOC buddies!
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I loved the Foreword by Michelle, as she knows how to set the tone for what is to come. I completely agree though this collection has a twilight zone feel mixed with tales from the crypt vibe.
This entire anthology is insanely good, usually one or two stick out for me. But this collection shows creativity, a great atmosphere, and some talented authors. Bringing their own very intense and unique style to this selection. The first story sets the pace beautifully and after that, the rest of the stories are just pure gold.
Farewell II Flesh
By MOCHA PENNINGTON
Robyn's story is heartbreaking, even though she has a supportive friend in Kelley. This doesn't stop her narcissistic boyfriend Cole convincing her to take part in experimental treatment. As a trans woman looking to become beautiful in an ugly world, she doesn't see the true beauty that she is.
With the constant berating she gets from Cole and her low self-esteem she ends up wandering into Dr. Crossings office and into a nightmare. She gets what she wants at first but when the experiment goes wrong. Cole and the Doctor's intentions come to the surface, making the bond between Kelley and Robyn even more gut-wrenching
Tea for Two
by Elizabeth Massie
Will tells the story of his previous employer, Daring Daniel Dawson, a famous magician, and ventriloquist. It soon becomes apparent that this magician has a god complex and is incredibly dangerous. When Will falls in love with the magician's assistant, Macy. Things get more twisted after what Daniel does to her
Forcing Will to run away with her. The ending reveals horrifying and heartbreaking truth, that rocks his reality.
Last Words BY RICHARD CHIZMAR
Two boys raised by their grandad ended up reuniting on the day of his death. But one of the brothers shares a deep bond with his grandfather. As he ends up hearing his pop's last words, that opens a door to a whole lot more questions. Remembering the treasure hunts from his youth, he goes looking for a map as his final request. What seems like a final gift from his grandfather down memory lane. Unlocks a dark secret, proving you will never know the true darkness hidden by the ones you love.
STARGAZER LILY BY BRANDON SCOTT
Molly Alden without realising awakens emotions, in our narrator he thought, had perished long ago. Hank as he goes by falls for Molly as the years go by, and he can hide his true identity. Bartholomew, a vampire turned in the 1700s, all goes well until one night his livelihood is burned to the ground. My heart hurt after reading this one, going through the years with Bart. Knowing the only time he felt love or a piece of humanity was with Molly. Years later when he returns to say goodbye it's even more soul-crushing.
SERIAL NUMBERS BY PHILIP FRACASSI
Jimmy the bank robber, finds out the true meaning of the phrase, 'blood money.' This story makes you think twice about rolling in a pile of money. A bit of a dark comedy story with a strong warning hidden within about greed.
THE LETTER BY LYDIA PRIME
Emily is an expecting mother that receives an interesting letter addressed to her unborn baby Jacob. Unable to stand the suspense she opens it and all hell breaks loose, I mean literally with a big demon. Blood and guts flying everywhere, oozing horror a lot. Hubby comes home and is greeted by the horrors of his dead mutilated wife and the big beasty. It's only when he gives his name, that shit gets bizarre and I won't lie the demon's response made me cackle. An intense story that shows that patience is a virtue in more ways than one.
A SHOW CALLED LIFE BY PATRICK R. MCDONOUGH
A tale of revenge on a power-hungry CEO with a drinking problem. Grace gets trapped in a virtual talk show where she must face the consequences of her actions. For Daron to get justice for Sara and Benji, he must step over the boundaries of reality. With the help of his sister Lorian, this tyrant's dirty laundry is about to be exposed.
THE COBBLER AND THE GOLEM BY CATHERINE MCCARTHY
The story of a cobbler named Ezekiel, who we discover lives with the guilt and torment of his past. As we learn of the horrors he endured while being a cobbler in a concentration camp. In their desperation to protect their people, he and the Rabbi create a Gollum for protection. Sadly, this only leads to more bloodshed and pain for those trapped in the confined of this hell.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE BY JOSH DARLING
This story takes us way back in time to when the gods of worship were Zeus, Poseidon, and Ares. I could go on. There are a buttload of gods in this era. In this story, a horrible event, the collapse of a school results in the village being enraged. Wanting justice for the death of their children, of course, it's the will of the gods and Poseidon gets the blame. So it's agreed that the Archon leaves to seek help from the Oracle of Delphi. Basically to see how to appease the angry God, rather than the Archon getting it in the neck for the shoddy building work on the school. God damn, that was brutal, loved the detail of the story and also the time Josh took to make it historically realistic and very emotional.
MARBLE, COLORADO BY ROWAN HILL
Very interesting take, Ashely and Heidi have time missing from their memory. Suffer from intense stomach pain that only goes away when they take 'aspirin.' But Heidi seems to be the one piecing things together in her mind.
What an intense story that makes you question what is going on. Every time they try to leave is when they physically start to change. All adds up to a conspiracy where we see the human form change and alter and something interesting is revealed about Ash and Heidi's past.
ERROR-X BY JOSHUA MARSELLA
Thom Babcock just wants a quiet life after his divorce. But of course, things do not play out well at the cabin on Campbell Pond. Bringing along his friend Ian, who is there to support him through a rough breakup. Things get weirder, with the appearance of two faceless figures by the lake and whirling lights across its surface. When they go out on the lake (after being warned not to) they realise this thing is bottomless. Oh, and the two weird figures show up and that is when things get life-threatening for poor Ian. Now Thom's only choice is to go back to the lake, to uncover its secrets.
ONE EVERY YEAR BY JILL GIRARDI
Uncle Hank was a dick anyway. I do love a good twist, and I could not feel more sorry for Debbie as a character. I mean, Susan was less than supportive, but the only one who seemed to give a crap was Aunty Ro. When you hear the description of the bruises on Aunt Ro's arms, you get mad as hell realising no one is safe from this Neanderthal abuse. This was why I couldn't help but love this story, as she takes advantage of an urban legend and makes the reader think it's going that way. Instead, she takes it in a whole new direction and well, the true mastermind is revealed. Poor Debbie, you should have eaten the tuna sandwich.
SHADOW OF SANITY
BY J. SNOW
This was an interesting look into paranoia and delusions taking a fatal turn. Seeing how mental illness can cause deterioration in the body and also seeing how it messes with the people you love if not kept in check. But it was also really creative how snow incorporated the psychological testimonies of Ethan the son. How the death of his parents and life in solitude shaped him as a person. How he became both feral and a great survivalist. I loved this story and the way we follow it from beginning to end. I think Snow did an amazing job at that line at the end, 'Life is arbitrary' is hauntingly perfect.
WEBBED by Ellie Douglas
Revenge of the spiders, yeah you read that correctly so be careful how you treat them. Because this story shows them in a organized set and less forgiving light, so yeah pissing them off will not end well. Also, SPIDERS SEE EVERYTHING so your sexy time may not be so private. But yeah this one shows the spiders in a tiny prankster light, especially the part where the spider webs their eyes shut.
THINGS WE NEED FOR THE HOMECOMING SÉANCE BY GWENDOLYN KISTE
The list of items was a very creative touch at the beginning, something different to start a story for sure. Plus the language instantly fits with the theme of teenagers with nothing better to do. Nice little touches about prom and an excuse for the parents made me chuckle. Like oh teenagers, thousands of horror movies have taught them nothing. -
Dark Murmurs
Authors
Mocha Pennington
Elizabeth Massie
Richard Chizmar
Brandon Scott
Philip Fracassi
Lydia Prime
Patrick R. McDonough
Catherine McCarthy
Josh Darling
Rowan Hill
Joshua Marsella
Jill Girardi
J. Snow
Ellie Douglas
Gwendolyn Kiste
Michelle Renee Lane
Genre: Horror
These stories were a lot of fun. I forgot how much I loved reading short stories compiled together by different authors. Dark Murmurs has monsters, magic and murder. Any horror lover will enjoy this book.
My favorite story is Stargazer Lily because, the writing was wonderful and the story was great. Also who doesn’t love vampires? @brandonscott_au1 is an author that has caught my attention. I will be searching for more of his work.
There are some well known authors and some new ones in this collection. This book is free on Kindle Unlimited for those who are intrigued. Check it out, you won’t be sorry! -
None of the stories in this collection were a miss. Each one unique, they all brought out different emotions and reactions. The curiosities within these pages will have you experiencing hate, revenge, desperation, love and sacrifice. Highly recommend this anthology.
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One of the stronger anthologies of the year with an all-start lineup and a fantastic foreword by Michelle Renee Lane.
“Farewell II Flesh” by Mocha Pennington. Holy wow, what a way to kick this anthology off. Pennington’s story captures desperation, evil, and inner turmoil and jars it, creating an incendiary device aimed squarely at the reader.
“Tea for Two” by Elizabeth Massie. Magicians and horror are an underutilized duo and Massie pulls something unexpected and horrifying out of her hat. Still, the story manages to brim with heart.
“Last Words” by Richard Chizmar. Chizmar channels the semi-autobiographical tone he perfected in Chasing the Boogeyman. Atmospheric and maudlin without sacrificing the elements that make a story truly scary.
“Stargazer Lily” by Brandon Scott is a unique first person exploration of what it means to be a vampire. Scott creates his own world and establishes the rules expertly. My only gripe is that someone was cutting onions in the next room while I read this story.
“Serial Numbers” by Philip Fracassi conjures up a truly unexpected monster in this story of reaping what you sow. Come for the carnage, stay for the top notch word play.
“The Letter” by Lydia Prime begins life tense and mysterious, taking advantage of perceived isolation, then expertly veers through several other tones/sub genres. Strap in for this one, reader for you know not where it goes.
“A Show Called Life” is like a hellish episode of Black Mirror. Patrick R. McDonough splices the narrative, sprinkling in bread crumbs that cleverly lead to an unforgettable ending. Like Fight Club or Memento, even better upon a second viewing.
“The Cobbler and the Golem” by Catherine McCarthy showcases the writer’s ability to flesh out a character in short form in a way most writers would be unable to in a novel. A heartfelt, yet hard to read, story of guilt ravaged hope.
“It Takes a Village” by Josh Darling combines historical horror and mythology with timeless subjects like mob mentality and others that get a little spoilery. A chilling look that forces the reader to ask themselves what they would do.
“Marble, Colorado” by Rowan Hill establishes an off-kilter, paranoid atmosphere in its first steps and never relents. Hill expertly unfolds the story, keeping the audience in the dark and only allowing slivers of light to shine on what she wants you to know.
“Error X” by Joshua Marsella wonderfully blends folk and cosmic horror, adding a little dash of sci-fi. It seems Marsella has his mind made up about whether city or country-based frights are better for chilling the blood.
“One Every Year” by Jill Girardi weaves a web of intriguing relationships, keeping the horror quiet and subtle, until the moment where it’s very much not. Wonderfully plotted and executed to leave the reader either grimacing or grinning. Your choice.
“Shadow of Sanity” by J Snow dives deep into nature versus nurture. How about both? Notes of Saw, Psycho, and even a little Texas Chain Saw Massacre run throughout this shudder-inducing entry.
“Webbed” by Ellie Douglas takes spiders, a wee beastie that already gives me the creeps, and gives them agency and agenda. This story will make even the most chill-proof reader think twice before squishing a household pest.
“Things Were Need for the Homecoming Séance” by Gwendolyn Kiste is a fantastic and lyrical cap to the anthology. Creative through both its subject matter and use of texture, Gwendolyn always delivers. -
DARK MURMURS-A Compendium Of Curiosities
Edited by: Jill Girardi & Lydia Prime
October 10, 2022
Silent House Press
Reviewed by Brian “Skull” Lewis
Hello there, horror fiends! It’s your old pal Skull with a review of an amazing collection of short horror fiction from Silent House Press that I just know you’re going to love. Dark Murmurs is indeed a compendium of curiosities with the aim of shaking things up. The stories are breathtaking which is exactly what you'd expect from editors Jill Girardi & Lydia Prime, but this anthology also aims to bring attention to BIPOC and female writers. It has been proven time and time again that these writers are often treated as being less than or have their work dismissed because of gender and/or color issues that shouldn’t be. Just as no book should be judged by its cover, a story shouldn’t be turned down because of its writer. You will see the theme of discrimination brought up frequently in Dark Murmurs whether the protagonist is a human or a spider who’s just not going to take it anymore as in Webbed by Ellie Douglas. By calcium, this book has my bony digits clacking madly on the keyboard, so let’s keep a creepy thing going and check out more of Dark Murmurs!
In a story so vivid, you can feel the boot kicks, a cobbler and rabbi stuck in a WWII concentration camp create a golem to protect their fellow Jews from the Nazis. It is a success…for a while. But as the cobbler says at the end of The Cobbler And The Golem by Catherine McCarthy, “we cannot escape our fear…better to take it with us and learn to live with it.” There is no master race and there never will be. Sadly, there is no shortage of people who hate others for things that cannot be changed.
Looking for a short story that will flat out terrify you with its twisted ending? Then check out Last Words by Richard Chizmar. This one’s going to give you a bad case of chills. The narrator tells us of how his wonderful grandfather raised he and his brother after a tragedy took their parents. Pops taught them how to fish, play baseball, and rewarded them with treasure hunts. I mean, what kid doesn’t want to go on a hike in the woods looking for buried treasure with maps and everything? Oh, what fun! The narrator loved these so much that when Pops mentions a final treasure hunt on his death bed, he can hardly wait to get started. But what he digs up brings a horrible realization. How the hell can one person be a loving parent and the epitome of evil at the same time?
Tea For Two by Elizabeth Massie also delivers a startling conclusion to what appears to be a standard love story. Will rescues Macy from the evil magician they both worked for. Daniel Dawson does a LOT more than just pull rabbits and endless scarves out of his hat. That stuff is mere child’s play for this friend of the devil, who can do horrible feats with his dark powers. Will falls in love with Macy and when Dawson turns her into a wooden dummy, gallantly tries to steal her away from the magician’s evil clutches. But he soon finds out that it’s impossible to run away from the truth. We are who we are despite the skin we’re in.
When I was a kid, my mom constantly hammered into my head that violence for any reason was wrong. Nice sentiment maybe, but I soon found out that turning the other cheek and all that jazz only works for saints in religious teachings. On the street in a new town every six months, I learned some different lessons. One of the main characters in Jill Girardi’s story One Every Year appears to have reached a similar conclusion. We get the story from Debbie who’s constantly getting yelled at and made to feel like trash by Uncle Hank. That seems to be Hank’s overall approach with family. Yell, hit, and dismiss. But when a bunch of hoochies pull up next his boat on the lake he’s a real charmer. Strangely enough after Debbie’s Aunt Ro tells them a story about a Native American Princess who haunts the lake, taking at least one victim every year, a rather major event happens to support her words. But was it caused by the Setauket princess’ ghostly powers or something a bit less ethereal?
What I’ve shared so far is just a tiny taste of the powerful stories included in Dark Murmurs I haven’t even told you about Philip Fracassi’s tale Serial Numbers which explains why it may be dangerous to fulfill one’s fantasies with money. Or why it’s a bad idea for immortals to fall in love with those who have a definite lifespan, as happens in Brandon Scott’s tale Stargazer Lily. But in all reality, your old pal Skull must wrap this review up so people can read it and find out how much they’ll enjoy having their own copy of Dark Murmurs-A Compendium Of Curiosities or gift it to someone who loves speculative fiction.
There’s just one thing left to do, rate this anthology using a system of 1 to 5 stars. Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer rates Dark Murmurs a very hearty 5 STARS! Jam packed with awesome writers and edited by the power team of Jill Girardi & Lydia Prime this is a horror anthology you need to read. Avoid a boring winter by grabbing a copy of Dark Murmurs stat! For more information about this and upcoming releases, contact the publisher at: [email protected] You can also contact the editors:
Jill Girardi: Twitter: @Jill_Girardi
Instagram: @jill_girardi
Lydia Prime: Facebook: @AuthorLydiaPrime
Instagram: @Helminthophobia
And don’t forget to follow me, your old pal Skull, at:
www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com which will help your favorite independent authors, poets, and publishers. This is an inclusive blog where everyone is valued, except for haters who are heartily encouraged to climb into the nearest industrial trash compactor and press start. My human host, Brian James Lewis is a disabled poet and writer with PTSD who has 3 new Beat Generation style poems in Trajectory Journal issue 23, available now! As is issue 22 which contains his terrifying short story Following My Destiny about misguided mass shooter Chance McCandless. -
Unthemed anthology edited by Jill Girardi and Lydia Prime - consisting of a "diverse group of writers who have interesting stories to tell".
An interesting collection...one of the strongest stories was Chizmar's "Last Word" - where a grandson receives one last communication from his grandfather - hearkening back to a game played with his younger brother. Scott's "Stargazer Lily" asks the question do vampires fall in love and marry?
Stories that failed to produce much of a reaction - or at least a positive one, include "Webbed" by Ellie Douglas...a story concerned with a spider revolt against humanity, Prime's "The Letter" - where demons torture and kill the wrong family, "A Show Called Life" by McDonough - still not sure what that's about...
