Eulogies III edited by Christopher Jones, Nanci Kalanta and Tony Tremblay
HW Press (May 2015)
264 pages; paperback $12.99; ebook $4.99
Reviewed by Frank Michaels Errington
First there was Eulogies: A Horror World Yearbook 2005, then, two years ago, HW Press gave us Eulogies II: Tales From the Cellar, and now comes Eulogies III from editors Christopher Jones, Nanci Kalanta and Tony Tremblay.
The effort here is to shy away from the common tropes used in horror. There are no zombies, no vampires or werewolves, in this new anthology, just a wide variety of stories to make you think and perhaps to haunt your dreams.
The result, for me, was somewhat mixed. Although I can’t say I totally enjoyed every story, there were enough to make Eulogies III a worthwhile read.
Among my favorites in this collection were:
David Morrell’s “The Storm.” What seems to be a familiar tale takes some unexpected twists and turns, resulting in an exciting and satisfying story of a father who tries desperately to save his family from a very strange storm.
“Mr. Mumblety-Peg,” from the always entertaining Tim Curran, goes for the jugular when a man who’s been known by many names over the years goes head-to-head with a mother’s love.
Bracken MacLeod contributes a terrific little story about a carnival sideshow that features a psychic surgeon in “Morgenstern’s Last Act.” I always love a good sideshow story.
Turning the creep factor all the way up to 11 is Chet Williamson with “She Sits and Smiles,” an imaginative and entertaining story set in a nursing home.
There were more I really liked, but that should be more than enough to whet your appetite. Although I didn’t care for every story, that doesn’t mean you won’t love them all. Just like I don’t care for brussel sprouts, you may love them. Really, someone must love them
Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the wonderful interior illustrations from Keith Minnion, one for each story. A very nice touch.
Eulogies III is available now from HW Press in both paperback and e-book formats.
Recommended.
