Review: The Wages of Belief and Other Stories from the Dark Side by Elizabeth Massie

The skill involved in creating top shelf short fiction is an elusive one. The number of writers who can pull it off with relative ease is very small, no matter the genre. To be able to succeed at both the short form and novel length exists as a tier that is much, much more exclusive. Yet Elizabeth Massie has always been able to pull that off, time and time again.

With The Wages of Belief and Other Stories from the Dark Side, she almost bookends her illustrious career with a new collection that raises her own high bar for creating bites of the macabre that do anything but wallow in tired clichés. Sineater, her first novel, captured the Bram Stoker Award thirty-some years ago. Why revisit it now, with a sequel in the form of the title story? The story behind the sin eater is an ancient one that began long before its use in Appalachian rituals. The placing of food on the deceased’s chest which was eaten by a chosen person in the town or village who would absorb the person’s sins. He would then be considered an outcast to walk the land alone. In “The Wages Of Belief,” the sin eater goes missing, which means someone must take up the role. Henson Darrow is called home from college to help out his family, who still believe in the practice. A heartbreaking, horrific story that closes out the myth of the sin eater — or does it? A ritual followed by blind faith today? Fitting for society in 2025. What ensues is a thrilling tale that lingers long afterwards, raising questions about religion and tradition.

Each story matters here and has its own merits, but the following four are current standouts.

“Cruising The Aisles” explores the eccentric mind of an aging, rich woman who decided to go grocery shopping for herself for the the first time in decades. Obsessed with her soap opera shows, she brings the drama to the store, along with just the right amount of chaos.

“It’s In The Cards” is perfect for the writers in the crowd or just fans who love genre conventions where authors and artists sell their wares to fans. Bonnie Boone buys a vendor table in a science fiction event, hoping to intrigue readers with her new novel. However, things go awry, as bad actors happen in some cons (it’s a thing, but thankfully, most authors are a pure joy to deal with). How Bonnie deals with another who harasses her will bring a smile to many faces.

“Tunnel Vision” harkens back to the golden days of the boardwalk attractions at the ocean. Think the Jersey Shore, Atlantic City before it went under, Ocean City, Maryland, and Myrtle Beach. Those times will elicit so much nostalgia for the old time rides and games that many grew up with and barely exist anymore. A man returns to Buckroe Surf Park in North Carolina to lay low for a bit. The old ride he liked (endured?) as a child is still there and when he’s forced to ride it again, the old fears rear their ugly heads. How much of it is real and what can be attributed to the mind of an imaginative child?

A personal favorite is the very twisted but highly invented (and disturbed) “Inside Out.” Nope, it’s not the Pixar film, not unless those creators downed some mushrooms and chased them with broken glass and sewage. When the first line describes the “Colon Mobile” at the Will O’ Wisp Campground, the reader gets the hint quickly that this is prime Massie. It’s not about grammar or punctuation. The story is kinda invasive, if you think about where it could possibly go. The owner of the place discovers that the odd vehicle and camper hawks a special service that others are lining up to partake in — and it’s a head-spinner (okay, maybe another part of the anatomy much lower). It showcases the author’s personality well and, between this and the title story, may define her style in a nutshell. Frightening, quirky, emotive, and frigging weird, but in the most entertaining way.

Finally, there’s a story within named “Stinkhole.” To describe it would be unfair to the reader. Just open to the page and… experience it. The tale’s not what most would think but wow, check it out and immerse oneself in the fantastic, dark mind of Elizabeth Massie.

Like her other collections, this one comes highly recommended. For those seeking a crash course in storytelling, it doesn’t get any better than this.