Chilling Tales: Evil Did I Dwell; Lewd Did I Live edited by Michael Kelly is an anthology of 18 horror and dark fantasy tales by Canadian authors.
I didn't enjoy this anthology as much as the previous two I reviewed. I only enjoyed a handful of stories and didn't find any remotely creepy. The plots of most the stories are dull and unoriginal.
But I found a few entertaining. Here are my favourites:
In "Tom Chestnutt's Midnight Blues" by Robert J. Wiersma, a musician is haunted by the love of his life. An interesting story, or at least until the anti-climactic ending.
"Sympathy For the Devil" by Nancy Kilpatrick tells the tale of an awful man who is the cause of a fatal car accident and how he gets his comeuppance. A well-written story that actually has the reader rooting against the main character.
"The Needle's Eye" by Suzanne Church is about a virus that blinds those infected and has a vaccine that will make you cringe. An emotional story that makes you appreciate doctors, family and sight.
In "Looker" by David Nickle, a man becomes romantically involved with a strange woman. I know that isn't much of a description, but I don't want to reveal too much. This is my favourite story in the book because it's so strange. I've never read anything like it before.
Chilling Tales is an okay anthology. The best stories are worth reading, but because the others are disappointing, I would recommend getting it from a library or used. Submissions for volume two, Chilling Tales: In Words, Alas, Drown I, are currently being accepted.
Rating: 3/5
6 comments:
Hey Little Miss,
been a while :-) I thought it was a decent antho, and funnily enough, all the stories you mentioned as being highlights were my faves, too, especially Nancy Kilpatrick's.
Darkeva
Great review! I've been searching for a new horror book to read!
I'm sorry you didn't like this as much as you wanted to. I got this one at BEA. I'll still check it out.
usually i dont like these type of horror things i got scared after watching it!!! but its story is looking a bit interesting i will try to watch it in day time!!1
I think this is the first I've heard of this anthology. I'll have to look it up. Love, love, love Kelly's collaboration with Carol Weekes, Ouroboros, which I highly recommend to all.
Hmmm, interesting. Might download a sample and check it out.
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